For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 14, 2002
Contact: Kate Fox
Ph: 202-777-2435
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APHA Joins Organizations in STOP Liquor Ads on NBC Campaign
Campaign Developed in Response to NBC Plans to Run Hard Liquor Ads

Washington, DC - The recent decision by a major network to accept hard liquor advertisements is irresponsible and appalling, according to the American Public Health Association which has joined 30 national organizations putting pressure on NBC to reverse its decision. The STOP Liquor Ads on NBC Campaign is determined to shed light on NBC's decision to run spirit ads through a number of grassroots resources, including the LiquorFreeTV.com Web site.

"NBC's decision to accept hard liquor advertisements directly conflicts with the public health agenda," stated Mohammad N. Akhter, MD, MPH, executive director of APHA. "Ads that promote drinking and alcohol products by using cultural icons and symbols appealing mainly to underage youth only intensifies the underage drinking epidemic the country finds itself in today."

Concern lies in how these ads could undo the prevention work done at the community level. "By increasing the number and type of alcoholic advertisements on television today, community-based attempts to control damage related to underage drinking are challenged and inhibited," said Norman Giesbrecht, PhD, chair of APHA's Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section. "Simply put, it is making a very serious problem even worse."

APHA applauds the work the STOP Liquor Ads on NBC Campaign has done thus far, and is excited to join in the endeavor. Campaign members include the American Medical Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Consumer Federation of America, National Association of African-Americans for Positive Imagery, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Evangelicals, Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In addition, members of both parties in the House of Representatives and federal regulators have expressed their support of this initiative.