Should NH allow spas and salons to serve alcohol?

On Thursday February 11, the House of Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee will discuss and vote on HB 1160, sponsored by Representative John Hunt, on whether to license spas and salons to serve alcoholic beverages.

If made into law, customers at such establishments would not be able to consume more than two 5-ounce glasses of wine or one 12-ounce glass of beer. Licensees would also not be able to sell or charge a fee to customers for the wine or beer.

Those in favor of allowing spas and salons to serve alcoholic beverages cite an increase in state revenue. Noting many such establishments already serve alcohol illegally, others claim regulation of the industry would better promote public safety.

Opponents contend, however, that it would be nearly impossible to track and regulate alcohol consumption at these businesses and question if staff would be properly trained to spot fake IDs and prevent underage drinking.