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Lindsay Lohan mug shot taken by the police after her arrest
in Los Angeles last year for drunken driving is now used in an advertisement by
The American Beverage Institute which supports the alcohol industry.
The ad’s text says “Ignition interlocks are a good idea for “above
Lohan’s picture, and then “But a bad idea for us,” showing pictures of adults
drinking at weddings and restaurants.
“The reason that we used Lindsay Lohan is because she's had
multiple DUIs that have been high profile,” American Beverage Institute
managing director Sarah Longwell told The Associated Press. “We needed to
create the distinction for the public what someone with multiple DUIs looked
like versus a low blood-alcohol-level first-time offender.” The company is not
worried about any legal trouble regarding the use of her image as: “People
magazine, Smoking Gun and a lot of people have republished this mug shot,” said
Longwell. “It was publicly accessible. We're not using it for any kind of
commercial gain. So we're well within our rights to use it.”
The American Beverage Institute made this ad because it
doesn’t approve of the law that requires drunken driving offenders to pay for
and install an ignition interlock system. This kind of device doesn’t allow drivers
who have previously been convicted for DUI to start the engine of their cars. The
ABI sustains that these devices are only “for getting hard-core drunk drivers
off our roads,” not for those who have a drink when they make a toast at a
party or a dinner.
On the other hand, Lohan’s lawyer, Blair Berk, stated to The
Associated Press: “USA Today is idiotic to run such an irresponsible
advertisement suggesting that drinking and driving is some kind of American
'tradition' we should protect. Not identifying that this ad was paid for by the
liquor and restaurant industries is profoundly reckless.”
“Lindsay Lohan fully endorses ignition interlock devices,
which have been well-proven to save lives. Drunk white businessmen, drunk
housewives out for girls night out and drunk wedding parties should be kept off
the roads of America,” Berk continued.
Lohan, aged 21, became known for her drinking problems last
year, when she checked into rehab 3 times. She was also in jail for DUI and
cocaine possession.
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