A-B supports Florida effort to crack down on "fake ID mills" - Anheuser-Busch - Brief Article

Modern Brewery Age, April 8, 2002

Anheuser-Busch ahs announced support for a Florida effort to crack down on fake ID mills

Anheuser-Busch Region Four Director, Michael M. Wolfe praised Florida state Senator Locke Burt (R-Ormond Beach) and Florida state Representative David Russell (R-Spring Hill) for sponsoring legislation to crack down on manufacturers, distributors and sellers of fake ID's. "Shutting down fake ID mills is another important way that we can help prevent underage drinking by making it more difficult for those teens who attempt to break the law," said Wolfe. "Because the quality and availability of fake ID's has improved so dramatically, we need tougher laws to punish those who sell fake ID cards or try to fool law-abiding retailers of alcohol beverages."

Recently, Wolfe noted, Anheuser-Busch has stepped up its efforts to support fake ID legislation. According to some reports, there are more than 100 websites that market fake ID's but states are only beginning to pass laws prohibiting their manufacture and sale. In addition, news reports claim that some bars and taverns in the U.S. routinely collect up to 10 fake ID's each week, and hundreds each year.

Anheuser-Busch said it has come out strongly in support of this proposal because fake ID's are used by teens to attempt to illegally buy alcohol beverages. If passed into law, these bills would make it a felony to make and sell fake ID's. At present, it is illegal to possess equipment or supplies used to make fake D's or to attempt to use a fake driver's license to buy alcohol beverages, tobacco or other age-restricted products.