WASHINGTON -- Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., continued his attack on alcohol Wednesday by introducing a measure that would require alcoholic beverages to carry health warning labels similar to those on cigarettes.
'If warning labels deter the potential abuser of alcohol from taking a drink or prevent the casual drinker from climbing behind the wheel of a car when he has had one too many or prevent a pregnant woman from doing potential harm to her unborn child, this legislation will be effective,' Thurmond said.
The measure, which was attached to an anti-trust bill dealing with beer distributors, would require that alcoholic beverage containers carry warnings that drinking can impair the ability to drive or operate machinery, increase the chances of hypertension, liver disease and cancer, cause birth defects if consumed during pregnancy and may be addictive.
'There would be no legal restriction to those who do not heed the warning,' said Thurmond, who also introduced an amendment to ban alcohol advertising to minors.
Although Thurmond was successful in getting the Senate Judiciary Anti-Trust Subcommittee to approve his amendments, he said that he still opposed the bill that would permit beer wholesalers to establish exclusive sales territories and will vote against it when it considered by the full committee.
On Monday, Thurmond, who also wants to ban alcohol advertisements aimed at those under the legal drinking age, attacked Spuds McKenzie, the English bull terrier who has been featured as the 'party animal' in Budweiser beer advertisements.
The South Carolina senator displayed posters and a stuffed animal of the popular dog at a news conference, saying that it encourages youngsters to drink.
