Statement re: Letter from President Clinton Urging FCC to Examine Impact of Distilled Spirits Radio & Television Advertising on Children

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Tuesday, 1 April 1997

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) strongly supports President Clinton's request to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to examine the impact that radio and television advertising of distilled spirits will have on children. The President is correct to be wary of the makers of vodka, gin and whiskey and their attempts to appeal to a new generation of drinkers.

The President and the FCC should not, however, overlook the fact that our airwaves have long been awash in beer commercials that make drinking seem like a harmless activity enjoyed by people who are always happy, attractive and successful. Is it any wonder that teenagers already consume more than a billion cans of beer each year? Or that 33% of high school seniors, 21% of tenth graders and 8% of eighth graders report that they have been drunk during the past month?

Addressing distilled spirits advertising is a good first step. We hope the next step looks at beer and wine commercials because while so called "hard" liquor may pose a greater threat of alcohol poisoning, standard servings of distilled spirits, beer and wine all contain the same amount of alcohol and all can be equally addictive.

Children like the beer commercials they see on television and, for many, the ads make them want to use the product. We can expect more of the same from the makers of distilled spirits; children do not need encouragement from the likes of Budweiser's frogs and RJ Reynolds' Joe Camel to drink sweetened alcoholic beverages that taste good.

NCADD welcomes President Clinton's efforts to address the issue of alcoholic beverage advertising.

For more information, or to contact National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, see their website at: www.ncadd.org