Warning Labels on Alcohol Advertisements

Why require warning labels on advertising?

• Underage youth frequently obtain alcohol by asking someone over age 21 to purchase the alcohol. Adult buyers may need reminders that providing alcohol to youth is a crime.

SUMMARY: WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL ADVERTISEMENTS ORDINANCE
The proposed ordinance requires all alcohol advertising (on billboards, in local newspapers and magazines, and local radio and television broadcasts) to carry warning labels stating that it is illegal to provide alcohol to underage persons.

This ordinance is based on Preston, MN Ordinance §213.

Proposed Ordinance

WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL ADVERTISEMENTS

Whereas, it is illegal in the State of Minnesota to sell, procure, supply, or give alcohol to persons under the age of twenty-one (21); and

Whereas, the City Council finds after careful deliberation that the City has a substantial and important interest in reducing the likelihood of the illegal consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of twenty-one (21); and

Whereas, The City Council believes, based on its experience, that advertising of alcohol increases the risk of consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years; and

Whereas, The City Council believes that requiring a warning label on alcohol advertising will decrease the risk of alcohol consumption by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years; and

Whereas, It is the duty of the City Council to take reasonable steps to protect the well-being of persons under the age of twenty-one (21), this Council enacts the following ordinance:

Section 1. Prohibition.
No locally printed newspaper or magazine or locally broadcast radio or television programming or billboard or any other stationary sign shall carry any advertisement for alcoholic beverages without also carrying the following label:

"Warning: It's against the law to purchase alcohol
for persons under age 21."

Section 2. Enforcement.
Any person who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects, refuses to comply with, or resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction in any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100). Every day such violation shall continue shall be a separate offense.