Previous interactive dialogues

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May 8, 2020

Interactive Dialogue #1: Alcohol & COVID-19: A Dangerous Mix

May 28, 2020

Interactive Dialogue #2: Alcohol & COVID-19: A Dangerous Mix (Repeat of Dialogue #1)

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In early March, 2020, the U.S. was hit with the global pandemic of covid-19, which has affected the lives of millions of Americans.  States and local governments have issued a variety of “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders, nearly all of which ban on-premise food or alcohol consumption and the subsequent closure of bars and restaurants to patrons. These unforeseen and new challenges have led to new approaches to alcohol sales in many states, including the sale of to-go cocktails, direct shipping, and alcohol delivery through food service apps. At the corporate level, companies such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors have pledged to engage in a range of “good will” efforts including helping to financially support employees who are out of work. 

 

This interactive dialogue will discuss some of the state and national changes in alcohol availability as a result of covid-19, and serve as a listening session for the other alcohol industry friendly measures occurring at the state and local level. Participants will hear from experts and will have ample time to share their own experiences. The key findings from this discussion will result in resources that can be shared with the broader alcohol policy and prevention field.

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June 26, 2020

Interactive Dialogue #3: Case Studies: Responding to Local and State Changes in Alcohol Availability as a Result of Covid-19

 

This third Interactive Dialogue shifts the discussion from what alcohol industry friendly Covid-19 measures are occurring at the state and local levels to considering how we respond. Communities across the county are finding themselves confronted with emergency rules and regulations ostensibly put in place to decrease the economic impact on-premise and off-premise alcohol establishment due to Covid-19. The cumulative effects amount to an alcohol availability regulatory rollback of unprecedented scope and scale. This Interactive Dialogue will explore how some communities are responding.

 

Participants will hear two case studies and will have ample time to share their own experiences. The key findings from this discussion will result in resources that can be shared with the broader alcohol policy and prevention field.

 

August 21, 2020

Interactive Dialogue #4: The Power of Raising the Price of Alcohol to Reduce Alcohol Related Harms

 

Off-premise alcohol sales have skyrocketed and alcohol consumption has been rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol is our cheapest and most accessible drug. The real price of alcohol has been falling for decades, a key factor in the rising tide of alcohol consumption and problems that we are seeing nationwide. A significant factor in this price drop has been the steady erosion of alcohol taxes: from 1991 to 2015, excise taxes on alcohol lost close to 30 percent of their value. In the coming period, as states desperately seek out new revenue sources to offset the costs of the pandemic, alcohol deserves a closer look as a source of public health revenue.

This Interactive Dialogue will bring together a panel of experts and advocates to: (1) showcase the most recent research on why price is important and what has happened to alcohol prices, and (2) share diverse state-level experiences with raising alcohol prices through local or state action. The Dialogue will incorporate a panel discussion as well as smaller group breakout sessions to discuss opportunities for and barriers to increasing alcohol prices in the U.S.