Can stations advertise hard liquor?
Yes. Except for a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulation against giving the alcohol content of beer in a radio or TV commercial, there are no FCC or other federal regulations that prohibit or govern the advertising of alcoholic beverages by radio or TV stations. The US Supreme Court’s decision in 44 Liquormart (1996) struck down a Rhode Island law prohibiting the advertising of liquor prices. However, stations may want to carefully review their own or their owners’ policies and the moral and ethical issues involved before accepting hard-liquor advertising. Can a bar or restaurant advertise “free” liquor, for example: “free champagne at midnight when you join us for New Year’s Eve”? No. Under Maine law, it is illegal for the holder of a liquor license to offer or deliver any free drinks. Likewise, it is illegal to offer to sell or deliver an unlimited number of drinks for a set price, except at private functions not open to the public. However, it is permissible to advertise
