No more cheers

Act 199 fails to serve intended purpose, hurts 21 and over crowd

So, you just turned 21. You're ready to go to your first college bar this weekend. You're a little short on cash and wondering what the specials are at the local watering holes. You open up your school newspaper, flip through the pages and search for advertisements featuring the drink specials and happy hour prices.

Well, in Pennsylvania, you're out of luck thanks to Act 199, a law prohibiting college newspapers from printing ads with drink specials in them.

The law went into effect on Feb. 18 but enforcement has only recently started. The state law includes restrictions on the advertising of alcoholic beverages in yearbooks, magazines, newspapers, program books, brochures and similar publications published by or for educational institutions.

"There's a little thing called the First Amendment that many people in this country feel pretty strongly about."

There's a little thing called the First Amendment that many people in this country feel pretty strongly about. And in this case, it's being violated.

Pennsylvania legislators are trying to dictate what goes into college newspapers in a probable attempt to curb underage drinking. But these legislators are overlooking a couple of key points.

According to the most recent census figures, 68 percent of college students are 21 years old or older. That percentage can then be compared with the national statistic -- 70 percent of the general population is 21 and over.

Readers who are not of legal drinking age are unable to get into bars. Does it really matter if they see advertisements for drink specials and happy hours? It isn't as if they can do anything about it. It is illegal for bars to allow underage patrons through their doors.

What about the other media outlets that show alcohol advertising? Underage individuals certainly watch television, listen to the radio and read magazines and other newspapers. All of these carry advertising for alcohol. College newspapers are not possibly the only media form affecting readers.

Aside from the very important point that legislators are infringing on newspapers' rights with Act 199, readers of legal drinking age and bars are being hurt by this law.

Advertising provides an easy way for bars to communicate with customers. And advertising provides those customers, students over the age of 21, with an easy way to find out what drinks are on special.

Pennsylvania legislators need to take a second look at Act 199. But until the law changes, you may just have to guess which bar has your favorite drink on special this weekend.