IN RESPONSE to the RESULTS of the 2OO7 MONITORING the FUTURE SURVEY

Brewers
and beer importers
are encouraged by data showing once again that the number of
teens who drink continued a decade-long decline in all
measured categories. The survey shows that 8th and 1Oth
grade past-month drinking has declined 37 percent and 22
percent, respectively, since first surveyed in 1991.
Additionally, the percentage of high school seniors who
reported drinking in the past month is down 36 percent since
1982 and is at the lowest level since tracking began in
1975.

The data show that today’s
young people are making smarter choices, but there is more
progress to be made. Our members have long advocated the
importance of preventing youth access to alcohol by:
encouraging parents to talk with their children about
illegal underage drinking, reminding parents never to buy
alcohol for teens or host teen drinking parties, assisting
retailers in preventing underage sales, and supporting law
enforcement officials in enforcing the law. We will continue
our work with these groups and others to further reduce
illegal underage drinking.