The New Prohibition
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Legal observers advise that trial lawyers and others whose profession is to oppose sin
are beginning to bear down on makers of alcoholic beverages -- once again, to protect the
children. Strategies are being developed.
- The objectives seem to be raising taxes on beer, eliminating certain kinds of
advertising allegedly aimed at youths, declaring war against underage drinking and
banning hard liquor advertising completely.
- The Center for Science in the Public Interest is pressing the Federal Communications
Commission to begin an inquiry on liquor advertising in the broadcast media.
- The center is adamantly opposing any suggestion that alcohol can be beneficial --
such as evidence that beer can boost the body's immune system and wine can cut the risk
of heart disease -- in the next federal dietary guidelines.
- Activists also want the government to expand warning labels on beverage containers.
If another federal anti-sin crusade takes off, warns a spokesman for the Distilled
Spirits Council, "all the other industries from pork to automobiles" should
watch out.
Source: David Schribman (Boston Globe), "Citizens! Liquor Up While You
Can!" Fortune, August 3, 1998.
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