New Hampshire Lawmakers Vote To Allow Babies On Beer Bottle Labels

Babies could soon be popping up on beer bottle labels in New Hampshire: State legislators voted to override the governor’s veto of a bill allowing the sale of beers like Founders Breakfast Stout, which features a baby eating oatmeal on the label.

Under state law, references to minors are banned in alcohol advertising. But Rep. Keith Murphy sponsored legislation that would’ve allowed certain images. He had a good reason to push it — he owns a bar and wanted to sell the Michigan-brewed beer there.

According to the Associated Press, House members think he should be able to, getting the two-thirds vote needed to override Governor Maggie Hassan’s veto. It’s now up to the Senate to vote whether to override the veto.

Gov. Hassan said earlier this month when she vetoed the bill that changing the law would undermine New Hampshire’s efforts to fight underage drinking.

But Murphy had argued that having a baby on the bottle isn’t the same as showing glamorous college kids drinking at a house party.

“No reasonable person would believe that this label is intended to appeal to minors in any way,” he said,

Under the proposed law, which images make the cut would be decided by the state’s Liquor Commission.

House overrides veto regarding minors on beer bottles [Associated Press]

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