NCJ Number
160649
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
There is no evidence that alcohol ads promote alcohol abuse, and regulation of the content of such ads would infringe on the advertisers' right to free speech.
Abstract
Some argue that the harmful aspects of tobacco and alcohol use or abuse warrant the censorship of the content of such advertising, however truthful. Such blatant censorship would have the effect of making such advertising virtually impossible; such content control results in a de facto ban of all such advertising, and it sets a dangerous precedent for the advertising of all product categories. It clearly violates the free-speech protection afforded advertising by the U.S. Supreme Court. In the U.S. Congress there is legislation pending in both the House and Senate to mandate rotating health and safety warning messages in all alcoholic beverage advertising. This is another attempt to interfere with the content of advertising despite the fact that such information is now contained on the labels. If warning messages are required in broadcast ads, it would make such advertising in limited-time segments virtually unworkable. Defense of the right of advertisers to promote legal products truthfully not only benefits advertisers, but protects the rights of consumers to receive information about product benefits and prices, vital information to make informed, free- choice buying decisions that can contribute to a strong global economy. To mount such a defense, advertisers must be better organized globally to coordinate their efforts in countries throughout the world.