Only state regulates drink specials

By JANET ZINK
Published December 15, 2006

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The state has put the brakes on Mayor Pam Iorio's desire to do away with 3-for-1 specials and all-you-can-drink nights in Tampa bars.

The authority to regulate drink specials lies with state regulators, not local governments, says an opinion from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation released Thursday.

"We're disappointed with that ruling," said Bob Ruday, dean of students at the University of Tampa and vice president of the Tampa Alcohol Coalition, which has been at the center of Tampa's efforts to regulate drink specials.

City Attorney David Smith said he hasn't had a chance to thoroughly review the opinion. Iorio in September proposed an ordinance that would ban such specials.

Department attorney Josefina Tomayo this week wrote that state law doesn't allow the city to move forward with the ordinance. But her memo noted that a study on alcohol abuse on college campuses completed by the Florida Senate committee on regulated industries last month recommended the state law be changed to allow counties and cities to regulate drink specials.

"What we're going to now do is identify state legislators who will help us with that cause," Ruday said.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.