Marin Institute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Massachusetts Group Takes on Big Alcohol
to Take Down Exploitative Alcohol Ads

San Rafael, CA (September 3, 2009) --- The Massachusetts State Legislature may soon have an opportunity to ban alcohol advertisements on Commonwealth property, including bus shelters and subway cars.

Representative Martin J. Walsh (D – 13th Suffolk) introduced House Bill 1113, to ban alcohol advertisements on all Commonwealth property. Public health advocates, service providers, youth, researchers, and concerned citizens formed the collaborative Supporting an Alcohol Advertisement Free Environment in Massachusetts (SAFE MA) to support Walsh’s effort. Their primary motivation in banning alcohol ads is to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related harm. “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.

Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, submitted a letter of support to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, where HB 1113 will be heard on Sept. 8. Marin Institute commends Representative Walsh and the SAFE MA collaborative for their efforts to bring this important issue to the forefront. Research has confirmed that the more alcohol ads kids see, the more likely they are to begin drinking at a young age, and drink to excess.

“We hope that the joint committee members will have the political courage to pass HB 1113 out of committee,” said Charisse Ma Lebron, corporate responsibility and advocacy manager at Marin Institute. “If Massachusetts enacts a statewide alcohol ad ban on public property, it will be the first state in the nation to do so. This will send a strong message to Big Alcohol that Massachusetts citizens will not stand by while Big Alcohol targets the state’s youth with harmful alcohol ads.”