The Utah State Legislature is considering a new law that would require alcoholic beverages to be sold only in state liquor stores.

After much deliberation, members of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission turned the issue over to the legislature.

The commission concluded by a 3-2 majority vote that such issues as enforcing new labeling requirements for malt beverages and alcohol-infused energy drinks containing alcohol need to be made by Utah lawmakers.

"The creation of legal definitions should be a legislative function," said Gordon Strachan, newly appointed commissioner. "I would prefer that the legislature answered the question rather than the commission trying to resolve it by rule."

Strachan said he feels strongly about this decision, as he wants to make sure that "Utah doesn't stand out as doing something 'unique' and 'strange' that is likely to bring adverse publicity - thereby hurting our tourist industry."

Others on the commission, however, have different views. Commissioner Kathryn Balmforth said sending the decisions to the Legislature is not how it works. "This is asking them to quibble about the size of type on a label," she said.

Despite Balmforth's concerns, Utah lawmakers rather than the commission will address this issue.

In California, the amount of alcohol is prominently displayed on the label. In Utah, however, the information is placed in the fine print. This labeling issue promotes underage drinking, Balmforth said.

Flavored malt beverages, also known as "alcopops," as well as alcohol-infused energy drinks can look just like non-alcoholic energy drinks.

According to a recent study done by the Marin Institute, an alcohol-industry monitor, 31 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds and 34 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds regularly consume energy beverages.

Utah law enforcement officials say alcoholic energy drink producers are mimicking labels and can designs of regular caffeine-based energy drinks.

"While I am in favor of trying to find solutions to ensure that flavored malt beverages and alcohol energy drinks are properly labeled," Strachan said, "I feel that these issues are better addressed by legislation."

Copyright Brigham Young University 19 Nov 2007