SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8627

By Senators  Haugen, Long and Kohl

     WHEREAS, The number of Washington teens who have tried alcohol or cigarettes has risen above the national average; and

     WHEREAS, There is growing concern that national advertising campaigns  by alcohol and tobacco industries have undue influence on teen audiences; and

     WHEREAS, Coupeville School social worker Mindy Pelton works with students at the middle-school and high-school level in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; and

     WHEREAS, A perceptive group of Coupeville students recognized the symbolism and message of a popular beer commercial and interpreted this ad as clearly targeting minors, and encouraging them to disregard the legal drinking age; and

     WHEREAS, The students and Ms. Pelton wrote directly to the manufacturer to voice their concern for the ad; and

     WHEREAS, The students suggested several ways the commercial could be recast so it would not target minors;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor the awareness and activism demonstrated by the Coupeville students and Mindy Pelton in their efforts to combat the influence of alcohol and tobacco advertising on minors; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate applaud this group in their efforts to reduce drug and alcohol abuse by teenagers in our state and across the country.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8627,

adopted by the Senate February 28, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate