Action Alert: Tell Miller to Stop Mixing Alcohol and Caffeine

When it comes to combining alcohol and stimulants, a critical mass of advocates and attorneys general have had enough. Thanks to sustained pressure on Anheuser-Busch, the company recently announced that it will be pulling Tilt and Bud Extra from the shelves in order to remove caffeine and guarana (a stimulant that contains caffeine).

This is a big win, and could have a ripple affect throughout the industry. But it's not over yet. Now, the pressure is on the newly merged MillerCoors, whose Sparks product is still actively being marketed to young consumers. As Join Together, the resource center for communities working to reduce substance abuse, points out, "MillerCoors wants to be the best beer company in America, but they can't do that if they keep selling dangerous and deceptive alcohol-energy drinks."

Take Action: Tell Miller to stop making alcoholic energy drinks

Also, CBS-4 Miami, the station that aired an expose on alcoholic energy drinks earlier this year, recently hosted a live panel discussion about these products. Visit their site to watch a recording of the event.

Beer: All in the McCain Family

Last month, the media took an exhaustive look at the John McCain-beer connection. This is not surprising considering how much the senator's political career is a direct result of alcohol money, thanks to his wife's majority ownership of the third largest beer distribution company in the nation. Hensley and Company, Cindy McCain's "family business" also employs McCain's son as the CFO while other executives hold seats on the politically powerful National Beer Wholesalers Association.

According to the LA Times, "The alcohol lobby is one of the most influential in Washington. Although McCain has recused himself on alcohol issues in Congress, he has not refused the industry's money. Out of all the candidates for federal offices in 2008, McCain has received more alcohol industry money than all but two."

Marin Institute's executive director, Bruce Livingston, rang in about McCain's Big Alcohol ties in the article linked above, and in this Financial Times piece from the same week.

TV Alcohol Ads Skyrocket while FTC Commends Big Alcohol

Since the Center for Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) began collecting data on youth exposure to alcohol ads on TV, the numbers have risen dramatically, with ads increasing a full 38 percent in six years. Most of the increase appears to be cable advertising, which generated 95 percent of youth overexposure to alcohol advertising on television. CAMY's latest study also found that, in 2007, more than 40 percent of youth exposure to alcohol advertising on television came from ads placed on youth-oriented programming, or programs with disproportionately large audiences of 12-to-20-year-olds.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission, whose job is to "protect America's consumers," released its third Report on Alcohol Marketing and Self-Regulation, commending the alcohol industry for "high levels of compliance" to...their own self-determined rules. The report essentially lets the entire industry off the hook for not raising their exposure standard, which requires that 70 percent of the advertising audience be of legal drinking age. The FTC explains that increasing this standard could mean that alcohol companies would run out of potential audience members and therefore, may not be able to place as many ads. God forbid.

California Bill Update

Marin Institute is still keeping tabs on several important bills moving through the California legislature. It's not too late to have a say in alcohol policy in the largest state in the nation.

Stop Giveaway Parties
This Diageo-backed bill would allow big alcohol producers to act as their own distributors, meaning they could throw their own parties and give their products away for free.
Take Action

Stop Expensive Freebies
This bill would allow Big Alcohol to offer endless freebies such as toys and t-shirts. Such promotional items are a great way for Big Alcohol to get its brand in front of very young eyes very early. Current law limits the cost of such gifts to 25 cents, but Anheuser-Busch wants to see this limit raised to five dollars.
Take Action

Help Pass the Alcopop Labeling Bill
This bill will ensure all flavored malt beverages are marked clearly with the phrase: "Attention: Contains Alcohol."
Take Action