Smart Practices 

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Inc. (WSWA) recently announced the release of its "Smart National Alcohol Practices" policy statement.

"WSWA's policy statement is designed to promote smart national alcohol practices, help shape legislation in the states and guide legislators and regulators to enact effective and commonsense laws related to responsible access and consumption of alcohol," WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf said. "And WSWA members are committed to advocating and lobbying for these important policies nationwide."

According to the 2006 Preliminary Fatality and Injury Assessments recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths appears to have inched up for the first time in 15 years.

"We must continue to educate people about the dangers of driving while intoxicated and do everything we can to prevent underage access to alcohol," Wolf said. "The alcohol industry has a unique and special responsibility to encourage and support government and community programs that inform everyone about the dangers of unregulated access to and over-consumption of alcohol."

For more information, visit www.wswa.org.