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ACTION ALERT March 7, 2010
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What
|
Preserve current restrictions on alcohol advertising |
| Action |
Ask your Senator to help defeat SB 475 |
| When |
By the evening of Tuesday, March 9, 2010 |
BACKGROUND
The Senate will vote on SB 475 on Wednesday March 10. The Commerce Committee voted 3-2 against to KILL the bill on March 4. This bill (which was introduced at the request of the hospitality industry) would repeal all restrictions on “happy hour” advertising and would expressly allow establishments to advertise alcohol prices (including reduced/ discounted prices).
“Happy hour” is defined as a time period during which an establishment sells alcohol at reduced or special prices. Current law strictly limits “happy hour” advertising to that which is visible within the establishment. Because SB 475 will allow drink specials to be advertised, it would likely increase the total amount of alcohol-related advertising and permit:
- Large signs in the window of, or outside, establishments;
- Advertisements in newspapers/magazines and other print media; and
- Radio and television advertising.
SB 475 would increase the exposure of underage youth to alcohol advertising and send the wrong message to legal drinkers about responsible consumption. Unrestricted “happy hour” advertising encourages and promotes excess consumption and communicates the social norm that over-consumption is acceptable, fun, and without risk.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can call your Senator before Wednesday, when the Senate will vote on the bill. Ask him or her to support the Commerce Committee’s recommendation to vote SB 475 “Inexpedient to Legislate” (ITL) – in other words, kill the bill. Make it clear that you don’t want any changes to current law.
If you want to do more, tell your friends and neighbors about the bill and ask them to call too.
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KEY MESSAGES
Let your Senator know why this matters to you. If you need some inspiration, here are a few reasons this bill is a bad idea.
- The risks to youth and the broader community of unrestricted “happy hour” advertising far outweigh any benefits to the hospitality industry. These risks include:
- Increased risk of underage alcohol problems resulting from increased exposure to alcohol advertising;
- Increased risk of excess consumption by young legal drinkers who, research shows, are encouraged to over consume by drink specials; and
- The risk to community image of increased signage and expanded alcohol advertising.
- Increased exposure to alcohol advertising will increase the risk of underage alcohol problems. Research consistently demonstrates that exposure to alcohol advertising reduces the age at which underage youth begin to drink. Youth who see, hear, and read more alcohol ads are more likely than their peers to drink and to drink heavily.
- SB 475 sends the wrong message about responsible drinking. Unrestricted “happy hour” advertising encourages and promotes excess consumption and communicates the social norm that over consumption is acceptable, fun, and without risk.
- SB 475 undermines the work of many entities that are working to prevent and reduce underage drinking and excess consumption by legal drinkers. The legislature should not pass a bill that conveys a message so clearly contrary to the goal of legal, responsible alcohol use.
- We just went through this two years ago. In the last two years the Senate has twice rejected efforts to repeal the limitations on “happy hour” advertising. It’s no more appropriate now than it was then.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you are uncertain about who your Senator is or how to contact him or her, click here.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact New Futures’ Policy Director, Tricia Lucas at 225-9540.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY – IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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