Is Underage Drinking Advertising's Fault?

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

The influence that alcohol commercials have on teenagers and children is an important issue. It's sad to think of the large amounts of money and effort spent each year in treating people's problems relating to alcohol and drugs. What we need to do is change our focus more toward abstinence.

I commend the efforts mentioned in the editorial to treat the influence alcohol commercials have had on children through counter-advertising and education programs; but why not help prevent the problem by eliminating alcohol commercials from television altogether? This was done in the past for tobacco ads, and alcohol seems to be a far worse health hazard. If we're serious about ``sobering'' children, why not ``urge moderation'' in advertising? Marcianne E. Moore, West Valley, Utah

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