The Massachusetts legislature has taken a bold step with its recently proposed bill to protect young people from alcohol advertising in what could become the first law of its kind in the United States. House Bill 1113 would ban all alcohol advertisements on state-owned property, including bus shelters and subway cars. In proposing this ban on alcohol ads, Massachusetts hopes to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related harm.
House Bill 1113 was introduced by Representative Martin J. Walsh with support from public health advocates, service providers, youth, researchers, and concerned citizens, who formed the collaborative SAFE MA, or Supporting an Alcohol Ad Free Environment in Massachusetts. And in a Letter of Support from the Marin Institute, Executive Director Bruce Livingston expressed the organization’s strong commitment to this new legislation, saying "...a statewide ban of alcohol advertisements on government property would be a significant step in stemming the tide of underage drinking."
A large body of research shows that the more ads kids see, the more likely they are to drink, and to start drinking at younger ages. In the U.S., more than 5,000 young people die each year as a result of underage drinking.
Alcohol advertising is a widespread problem in Massachusetts that was highlighted in a national report from Marin Institute showing that the MBTA is one of only two major public transit systems that explicitly allow alcohol advertising. “It is unfathomable that in the midst of an epidemic of underage drinking in Massachusetts, a government agency would allow alcohol advertising on public property,” said Amy Helburn of the SAFE MA collaborative.
A Massachusetts State House hearing was held on September 8, 2009 for House Bill 1113 and a vote is expected within a month. Check back here for updates on this important legislation.
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Massachusetts House Bill 1113
Press Release: Massachusetts Group Takes on Big Alcohol to Take Down Exploitative Alcohol Ads
Marin Institute Letter of Support
