Inmates sue beer companies for alcohol addictions

There's a reason alcohol advertising has strict regulations.

Policymakers know that media influence is pervasive and strong, especially when it comes to promoting positive messages about potentially dangerous activities, like drinking alcohol or smoking.

Five inmates in Idaho agree, and they want justice--they're suing several alcohol distributors, saying that they're behind bars because of booze.

Could proper labeling prevent addiction?

The inmates are targeting eight of the biggest alcohol establishments in the world for $1 billion, claiming that had alcohol been properly labeled with warnings about addiction, the crimes they committed might never have occurred--which include everything from grand theft to manslaughter.

In the affidavits of the case, the prisoners say that their crimes were committed because of addiction, and one even says he fears for his life after his release--that he's afraid he won't be able to "participate positively in society" when he is free.

Defendants include Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing, but none of the defendants have responded to the inmates' filing.

Source: CBS Atlanta