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H.R. 3479 104th Congress House

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996

Official title: To carry out a comprehensive program dealing with alcohol and alcohol abuse.

Introduced: May 16, 1996 See on congress.gov
Health AdvertisingAgriculture and FoodAgriculture in foreign tradeAlcohol
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Alcohol and youthAlcoholic beverage industryAlcoholic beveragesAlcoholismAppropriationsAwards, medals, prizesBeerCollege studentsCollegesCommemorationsCommerceCongressCongressional reporting requirementsConsumer educationCostsCrime and Law EnforcementCrime preventionDeceptive advertisingDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDismissal of employeesDrug abuseDrug abuse counselingDrug abuse preventionDrugs and youthDrunk drivingEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEducational facilitiesEducational policyEmployee rightsFamiliesFederal advisory bodiesFederal aid to higher educationFines (Penalties)Foreign Trade and International FinanceForeign trade promotionGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealth educationHigher educationIncome taxInformation servicesInjunctionsLabelingLabor and EmploymentLawMagnetic tapesMotion picturesNarcotic trafficNewspapersOutdoor advertisingPeriodicalsPlaygroundsPublic meetings of administrative bodiesPublic service advertisingRadio broadcastingRestrictive trade practicesSales promotionSchool disciplineSchool personnelSchool violenceScience, Technology, CommunicationsSigns and symbolsSound recording and reproducingSports and RecreationStudent loan fundsStudents' rightsTax deductionsTaxationTelephoneTelevision advertisingTransportation and Public WorksTreatment and rehabilitation of alcoholicsTreatment and rehabilitation of narcotic addictsVideo gamesVideo tape recordingWine
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 7, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-Long Learning.
May 24, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
May 24, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
May 24, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.
May 22, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
May 16, 1996
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Economic and Educational Opportunities, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 16, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 7, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-Long Learning.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion

Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages

Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising

Title V: Alcohol Advertising

Title VI: Health Warnings

Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and

Distilled Spirits

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996 - Title I: Higher Education and Alcohol Abuse Prevention - College Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise drug and alcohol abuse prevention program certification requirements (which must be met in order for a higher education institution to receive any Federal financial assistance) to require the programs to limit alcoholic beverage advertisements in the institution's newspapers and other publications to price and product identification. Prohibits: (1) distribution of promotional material encouraging alcohol consumption; (2) distribution of free alcohol; and (3) sponsorship or public support of any on-campus athletic, musical, cultural, or social program, event, or competition by any alcoholic beverage company or by any group of companies.

Requires that identification, referral, or treatment of students and employees under such programs not jeopardize the their matriculation status or employment.

Authorizes grants to institutions or consortia, and contracts with such institutions and other organizations, for programs of prevention and education (including treatment-referral) to reduce and eliminate the illegal use of drugs and alcohol and associated violence. Allows using the contracts for a higher education center for alcohol and drug abuse prevention to provide training, technical assistance, evaluation, dissemination, and associated services and assistance to the higher education community and higher education institutions.

Mandates ten National Recognition Awards annually to institutions that have developed and implemented effective alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education programs. Authorizes appropriations.

Title II: Deductions for Alcohol Advertising or Promotion - Alcohol Promotion and Advertising Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a deduction for the expense of advertising (via any means) or promoting any alcoholic beverage.

Title III: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages - End Taxpayer Promotion of Alcohol Overseas Act - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of funds for overseas promotion of alcoholic beverages.

Title IV: Children and Alcohol Advertising - Children's Protection from Alcohol Advertising Act of 1996 - Prohibits advertising or promoting alcoholic beverages on any audio tape, audio disc, videotape, video arcade game, computer game, or film. Prohibits outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages within 1000 feet of any school, playground, or other public facility where individuals under 21 are reasonably expected to convene. Restricts alcohol print advertising in publications with an under-21 readership of 15 percent or more than two million to text only in black and white print. Limits alcohol television broadcast advertising between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to a picture of the beverage with factual, objective audio information. Mandates criminal fines and allows injunctions.

Requires that alcohol manufacturers sponsoring events be identified in the corporate (not brand) name. Prohibits manufacturing or distributing non-beverage products with an identifiable brand of an alcoholic beverage manufacturer (but allows the corporate name).

Title V: Alcohol Advertising - Alcohol Advertising Accountability Act of 1996 - Mandates: (1) an annual report to the Congress on alcohol advertising, its profile, and its effects, along with recommendations for legislation; and (2) establishment of a panel to assist in gathering information for the report.

Title IV: Health Warnings - Sensible Advertising and Family Education Act - Declares it to be an unlawful or deceptive act under the Federal Trade Commission Act to advertise any alcoholic beverage through magazines, newspapers, brochures, promotional displays, radio, television (including cable, paid per view, or subscription), or other electronic means, unless the advertising includes one of specified health warnings.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain toll free numbers referred to in some of the warnings.

Title VII: Ingredient Labeling for Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a malt beverage, wine, or distilled spirit mislabeled unless it bears a label disclosing: (1) the alcoholic content; (2) the number of drinks (defining "drink" as .6 ounces of alcohol); (3) its ingredients and calories; (4) the common name of each ingredient, including additives; and (5) a toll-free number for help with a drinking problem. Authorizes appropriations for the toll-free number.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 9
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3479: Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3479/
MLA
"H.R. 3479: Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3479/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3479, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3479/.
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[H.R. 3479: Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse Prevention Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3479/)
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