BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS UPDATE (1/27/00)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) has issued
a request for comments on health claims and other health-related statements in the labeling and advertising of alcoholic beverages.
BACKGROUND
In early 1999, the BATF gave approval for language to be
placed on alcoholic beverage labels that directs consumers
to the obtain a copy of the United States Dietary Guidelines
or talk to their physician about the health effects of wine
consumption. Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC) has expressed
concern about the possible impact of these messages might have
on the effectiveness of the federally mandated health warning on all alcoholic beverage containers sold in the United States. In response to this concern, BATF issued a notice in October 1999, in which it asks the public to comment on proposed changes to the regulations governing health claims on alcohol advertising and on product labels. The deadline for comments is February 22, 2000.
In the past, BATF has taken the position that it is misleading
to attribute positive health effects to drinking alcoholic
beverages, unless the attributions are qualified and appropriately balanced. NCADD believes the negative consequences of alcohol consumption disqualifies, as misleading, attempts to include messages about "health effects" or "health benefits" or any other health statement related to drinking alcohol from appearing on labels or in advertisements.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Write to BATF. NCADD has submitted comments; please feel free to use this as a sample letter. If you have any questions please contact the Public Policy Office via email at publicpolicy@ncadd.org. To view the BATF Notice No. 884 on-line, click here.