FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1997                             (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


             STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO
      ON IMPENDING TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENTS FOR HARD LIQUOR


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno today echoed
President Clinton's disappointment with the decision of some
manufacturers to abandon a half-century voluntary ban on
advertising hard liquor on television.  She also requested the
FCC study the implications of such a step.

     "From a crime-fighting perspective, anything that might
increase the use of alcohol among our nation's youth is a threat
to public safety.

     "Recent research shows a clear connection between alcohol
consumption and increased domestic violence and delinquency.  For
instance, several studies have shown alcohol to be a factor in
about 50 percent of all violent crimes committed in the country. 
On college campuses, 95 percent of violent crime is alcohol-
related, and 90 percent of all reported campus rapes involve
alcohol use by either the victim or perpetrator.

     "It is truly unfortunate that some manufacturers are
abandoning their 50-year voluntary ban.  I urge the FCC to look
into the issues surrounding the advertising of hard liquor on
television."

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