NBC Pulls Liquor Ads – But MADD Sates They Missed The Big Picture.

Millie Webb MADD National President stated that NBC Television Network’s announcement to reverse its decision to air liquor ads misses the big picture. NBC and every other network airing alcohol advertising is overlooking the larger issue of how to minimize the amount and irresponsible content of alcohol advertising to which our children are exposed. NBC and the other networks have blinked on this issue rather than taking a hard look at addressing the serious need for stricter responsibility standards for all alcohol advertising — including ads for beer, wine and malt-based beverage advertising. We will be calling on Congress, the media and the public to address this issue and its impact on youth and underage drinking.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is not against alcohol advertising; we simply want standards in place that will protect our children from constant exposure and messages that directly appeal to them. Beer and wine companies have long advertised on TV with lax responsibility standards and irresponsible advertising. There’s no wonder that beer is the alcohol of choice for underage drinkers and drunk drivers.

Underage drinking is America’s No. 1 youth drug problem, killing six and half times more young people than all other illicit drugs combined. Wayne Smith, Executive Director of MADD Washington State said that out of 275 people killed in our state in 2001, 45 were young people. The alcohol industry spends more than $1 billion dollars on product advertising each year and it is estimated that for every public service announcement, teens view 25 to 50 beer and wine commercials. MADD is advocating for stronger policies to address this issue, including restrictions on all television alcoholic beverage advertising — including ads for beer, wine, liquor, and malt-based beverages.

It is time for NBC and the other networks to stop placing patches over the serious holes in alcohol advertising policies. We need responsible, consistent alcohol advertising practices that will not target young people and will
provide a venue for safe alcohol-related messages for young people and adults-messages that will save lives and prevent injuries.

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