SALT LAKE CITY - Since 2008, when Utah lawmakers modified access laws for flavored malt beverages in an effort to decrease sales to minors, they have also made it more difficult for adults to obtain them. As such, sales of FMBs in Utah have dropped more than 90% since they were restricted to state-controlled liquor outlets, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

FMBs contain the equivalent alcohol content as malt beverages ?" roughly 3.2 percent ?" though opponents of the beverages argued that they should only be sold in state outlets to lessen underage drinking.

As such, in October 1, 2008, lawmakers banned grocery stores and convenience stores from selling the products.

The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control said that 1.1 million bottles of malt beverages were sold in state outlets during the 12-month period ending in March. By contrast, 13.5 million bottles and cans were sold annually in stores before the ban.

Before passing the bill restricting FMB sales, state analysts said that $4.7 million would flow into the state??s general fund and school-lunch subsidies if the beverages were restricted to state liquor outlets. However, since March 2009, the state has generated only $440,000 in profits and $200,000 for school-lunch subsidies from sales.

For more background on Utah??s FMB laws, see the December 2008 NACS Magazine article, "Disappearing Act."