Quote:
Originally Posted by marennorge
Eh-yup, Massachusetss banned happy hours years ago. Not sure if it reduced DUIs or DWIs, though.
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Yes, I just looked it up and it was 1984. This article did raise some good points as to why they did it, but then, Prohibition had its backlash, too. I put boldface on several things that are unnecessary inducements.
"The ban, one of several steps that Massachusetts has taken lately against alcohol-related accidents, is believed the first such rule to cover an entire state. Many of the regulation's supporters hope the idea will spread.
''I've heard all the horror stories I'm going to listen to,'' said George R. McCarthy, chairman of the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which sponsored the ban. He was referring to several recent cases in which drivers and pedestrians were killed after having been drinking during tavern happy hours.
Part of Wider Movement
The state's new regulation specifically prohibits offering free drinks, discounted drinks or special ''jumbo'' drinks that cost as much as regular drinks. Unlimited numbers of drinks can no longer be offered for a fixed price, and bars are prohibited from sponsoring such promotions as darts or music contests that award alcoholic drinks as prizes. A pitcher of beer can henceforth be sold only to a party of two or more customers.
The Massachusetts ban goes further than rules in other states, yet citizens' groups and liquor authorities in many areas of the country describe happy hours as potentially dangerous. Several states have begun to restrict such promotions. .."
'HAPPY HOUR' BAN STARTS IN MASSACHUSETTS BARS - NYTimes.com