As high school students at the Minnesota Virtual Academy health class, we have been studying the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on our bodies, minds and emotions. We have learned about the seriousness of these products, and how they can damage and/or threaten both our present and future well-being in all aspects of health (mental and emotional, social, and physical). We were shocked to discover that, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol consumption leads to the annual death of approximately 88,000 people in the US, and that the life of those who die through alcohol consumption is shortened by around 30 years (source: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/pdfs/alcoholyourhealth.pdf). In addition, the consumption of alcohol leads to the spending of billions of dollars a year in damage repair by the US government.

So, isn’t it clear that we don’t want any of this? And hasn’t the consumption of alcohol been banned for minors and restricted for drivers? Why is it then that in our daily lives we are faced by a constant stream of advertisements promoting products that the law actually restricts or bans? Is there anything rational about banning excessive alcohol consumption for drivers, while at the same time permitting utility in our roads to display advertisements endorsing alcoholic beverages?

It is shocking that in spite of our increasing knowledge on the subject of alcohol consumption, apublic transportation servicein the Twin Cities metro area continues to allow the display of alcohol-related advertising on its utility. Isn't it contradictory that the Metro Transit Service and our government (ever trying to ensure our safety) still allow publicly-used services to negatively target citizens and patrons?

While advertisement on metro transit may be necessary to support their wonderful service, advertisements with potential negative effects should be outlawed. We suggest that the Metro Transit Service—and the leaders of Minnesota’s government—re-think their endorsement of alcoholic products that endanger the lives of Americans and threaten the stability of this country. Many metro-transport services (including major agencies in Seattle, San Francisco, Boston and Philadelphia) have already taken a step forwards by prohibiting the advertisement of alcoholic products on their utility. Please consider following their wise example and joining their lead as they work to improve the lives of US citizens or residents. For more information on this topic, please visit the following webpage: http://alcoholjustice.org/images/stories/aj_transitad_report_f_low.pdf

Respectfully,

A ninth grade student on behalf of the MNVA health class; joined by family, staff, friends, other MNVA students, and all those who take an interest in our cause