Warning Labels on Alcohol

On March 18, six of nine California legislators voted to condemn 4,000 children a year to a lifetime of suffering. They did so by abstaining on a bill, SB 96, that would inform women of the dangers of consuming alcohol while pregnant by requiring warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

The abstentions came in the face of extensive lobbying and $700,000 in campaign contributions by the state’s alcohol industry. Because the bill would do no more than inform people of a proven risk to the health of their children, the outcome of the vote can only be interpreted as a conscious decision on the part of our elected officials to sacrifice the well-being of our children for the health of their campaign finances.

In Southern California, Sens. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles), Edward R. Royce (R-Anaheim) and William Campbell (R-Hacienda Heights) should be soundly condemned for so blatantly placing the interests of their campaign coffers above the most basic ethical consideration, guarding the health of our children.

RONALD KARPATI MD

Childrens Hospital

of Los Angeles