HUNTINGTON BEACH : Ban on Alcohol Ads at Parks, Beaches Lifted

The City Council this week unanimously agreed to lift for one year a ban on beer and wine advertising at events at city beaches and parks.

The council established the ban on the advertising in March, 1991, while also banning the sponsoring of events by alcoholic-beverage companies at local beaches and parks, said Community Services Director Ron Hagan.

Hagan said the council believed that allowing such advertising would send the wrong message about drinking in public, which is banned at beaches and parks.

Council members said they decided to temporarily lift the ban for revenue reasons and because potential sponsors of events are now emphasizing moderation.

“We depend on tourism as one of our sources of income. We have lost events because we won’t let them do the advertising,” said Councilman David Sullivan. “I think the whole council feels that if there are any problems, we’ll go back to the old policy.”

As part of the new attitude, the council will require advertising for alcoholic beverages to include such educational messages as “Don’t Drink and Drive” and to state clearly that alcohol cannot be consumed on the beach or in a park.

In a letter to the council, Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg said the Police Department still opposes allowing such alcohol-sponsored events because of the danger of alcohol abuse.

Under the revised rule, events that are backed by alcoholic-beverage companies must pay a fee--not yet established--that will be go toward city-sponsored programs to prevent substance abuse.