Transcript of Clinton's Remarks (4/1/97)
Text of Letter from Clinton to FCC Chairman Hundt (4/1/97)
Clinton Denounces Return Of Broadcast Liquor Ads (11/9/96)
Clinton Assails Dole Over Tobacco Comments (6/15/96)
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Clinton Asks FCC To Address TV Liquor Ads
President says he expects 'a major fight' from industry
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 1) -- President Bill Clinton says he is "expecting a major fight" from liquor companies as he tries to nip the problem of underage drinking in the bud by challenging the liquor industry's efforts to begin advertising on television.
Clinton has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine if it's appropriate for the government to take action against hard liquor companies that want to extend their advertising to television. (320K wav sound)
At a news conference promoting the move, Clinton said the FCC can determine the public's opinion on televised liquor sales and can best "evaluate whatever evidence comes in."
"Liquor has no business with kids, and kids should have no business with liquor," Clinton said. "Liquor ads on television would provide a message of encouragement to drink that young people simply don't need. Nothing good can come of it."
The president skirted questions about whether children can really tell the difference between a liquor ad and an ad for beer. "Why make things worse? Why backslide?" Clinton asked as he pleaded with liquor companies to go back to their voluntary ban on televised liquor advertisements.
"I think the liquor industry itself once thought that there was a distinction to be drawn if for no other reason than [the] alcohol content between beer and wine and hard liquor, which is why they observed this distinction for 50 years," Clinton said. "They thought there was a distinction for 50 years; otherwise, they would not have observed it. That was their opinion for 50 years, and I think they were right. (288K wav sound)
"There was no problem before the announced intention to ignore the 50-year ban," Clinton said. "The liquor industry has been responsible for five decades. I hope they will agree to go back and embrace that commitment."