The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

NCADD News Release

For More Information, Contact: Sarah Kayson, Director for Public Policy Jeffrey Hon, Director for Public Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release:

Public Interest Obligates Digital Television Broadcasters to Air Alcoholic Beverage Counter Ads

Reminding members of a Presidential advisory committee of Vice President Al Gore's successful efforts to educate Americans about the hazards associated with drinking, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) today urged that digital television broadcasters be required to air messages to counter the indiscriminate influence of alcoholic beverage advertising on the nation's children. "The requirement to serve the public interest, in today's analog world as well as in the rapidly approaching digital age of tomorrow, must protect young people from advertising that glamorizes and normalizes a product that is illegal and harmful for them to use," NCADD director for public policy Sarah Kayson told the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters (PIAC). President Clinton established PIAC to advise Vice President Gore on the public interest obligations of digital broadcasters. It will study and recommend which public interest obligations should accompany broadcasters' receipt of digital television licenses. In 1988, Congress passed legislation sponsored by then Senator Gore that requires all alcoholic beverage containers to include warning labels. Since 1989, these warnings have alerted the public to the dangers of drinking and driving, and drinking during pregnancy. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence began demanding alcoholic beverage counter advertising in 1996 when the distilled spirits industry lifted its 40-year ban on using radio and television to advertise. Mothers Against Drunk Driving and 22 other organizations joined NCADD in May in filing a petition now before the Federal Communications Commission that also would require broadcasters to air alcoholic beverage counter advertising in the "public interest." The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. provides education, information, help and hope in the fight against the chronic and often fatal disease of alcoholism, and other drug addictions. Founded in 1944, NCADD, with its nationwide network of Affiliates, advocates prevention, intervention and treatment and is committed to ridding the disease of its stigma and its sufferers from their denial and shame. 12/5/97

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 phone: 212/269-7797   fax: 212/269-7510 email: national@ncadd.org   http://www.ncadd.org HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)