“No ID? No Excuses.”
Spirits retailers have heard it all before.
“I only have my student ID.”
“I left it in my other jeans.”
“I only have a picture of my ID on my phone.”
“You know me – I’m here all the time!”
Those excuses won’t fly, especially this prom and graduation season. On May 3, we partnered with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) to launch a new, state-wide campaign to send the firm message that underage drinking will not be tolerated in New York.
The campaign, called “No Excuses,” includes 15,000 display materials, in Spanish and English, which our wholesale partners distributed to liquor licensees throughout the state.
We kicked off the campaign with launch events at spirits retail stores in Albany, New York City, Rochester and Buffalo. Each launch event included remarks from Responsibility.org president and CEO Ralph Blackman, Vincent G. Bradley or David Edmunds from the NYSLA and local officials and law enforcement officers, who continually face the challenges of combating underage drinking.
Members from all three tiers of the alcohol industry united for the “No Excuses” effort (producers, distributors and retailers). Responsibility.org is funded by the country’s leading distillers, and wholesale partners include Southern Wine & Spirits and Empire Merchants. The following retail associations are also involved with the campaign:
- The New York State Liquor Stores Association
- Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association
- Metropolitan Package Store Association
- Retailers Alliance
The new campaign garnered media coverage in each of the launch cities, and we hope the media attention will remind all liquor licensees all over the country that underage drinking is dangerous and illegal. Here is some notable media coverage:
Governor Cuomo Launches “No Excuses” Campaign to Combat Underage Drinking in New York – Governor.ny.gov
Campaign to Combat Underage Drinking – Bar Business Magazine
Campaign launched to prevent underage drinking in NY – WTEN, Albany
“No Excuses” campaign launched – CBS6, Albany
‘No Excuses’ Campaign to Help Combat Underage Drinking in New York – Time Warner Cable News, Rochester
New campaign highlights dangers of underage drinking – WHAM, Rochester
New “No Excuses” campaign aims to curb underage drinking – WIVB, Buffalo
Curbing underage drinking before prom/graduation – WKBW, Buffalo
The reaction on social media has also been great. Here are some posts from campaign partners, like Governor Cuomo and the NYSLA, as well as reporters and media outlets.
Today we launched the “No Excuses” campaign aimed at curbing underage drinking in New York: https://t.co/iZtfxSNiS4 pic.twitter.com/hghRxNAYst
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 3, 2016
"No Excuses” for underage drinking campaign travels to NYC at Philippe Liquors @goFAAR @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/63Nes2icNa
— NYS Liquor Authority (@NY_SLA) May 4, 2016
Campaign to curb underage drinking is underway https://t.co/bwXcyT4yr2 pic.twitter.com/UlyS4X3UsY
— Alex Crichton (@aacrichton) May 10, 2016
@SaratogaSheriff @NY_SLA @Exit9Wine "No Excuses" campaign against underage alcohol consumption during prom/grad time pic.twitter.com/Fahb0S4anX
— Saratoga Co. Sheriff (@SaratogaSheriff) May 6, 2016
15,000 display items from the new "No Excuses" campaign have already been delivered to liquor stores. @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/64aiXWCQCm
— Katie Alexander (@KatieNews4) May 11, 2016
Police Officer Glover speaking at today's "No Excuses" Campaign press conference in NYC #HappeningNow #VisionZero pic.twitter.com/tR1TN5yfyJ
— NYPD Highway (@NYPDHighway) May 4, 2016
.@ny_sla and @gofaar team up for the #NoExcuses campaign to fight underage drinking. Details on @wten. pic.twitter.com/UZ6YMmVjdU
— Ryan Peterson (@rpetersonWTEN) May 3, 2016
@NYGovCuomo está haciendo algo para detener el uso de alcohol entre los menores de edad: https://t.co/9EpRvvpCZv #NoExcuses
— NYS OCFS en Español (@NYSOCFS_espanol) May 3, 2016
The NYS Liquor Authority and https://t.co/SBhDXUDRTJ are taking #noexcuses for underage drinking during prom season pic.twitter.com/sqRIW1jy80
— Katelynn Ulrich (@katelynnulrich) May 3, 2016
This campaign is also a message to parents. Parents are the leading influence on their teen’s decision to drink – or not to drink – alcohol, and year after year, family and friends continue to be a leading source of alcohol for today’s youth. We hope the “No Excuses” campaign provides parents in New York and all over the country with an opportunity to start the conversation with their teens and let them know underage drinking is dangerous and will not be tolerated.