COUNCIL UPHOLDS CIGARETTE AD BAN
By Adnews Staff
A U.S. federal appeals court upheld a city ordinance in Baltimore, Maryland that bans most cigarette billboards in areas frequented by children. The decision could win points for the Food and Drug Administration's efforts to regulate cigarette advertising. In addition, the court upheld a ban on billboard ads for alcohol in areas where minors are likely to see them. The case is being closely watched by several other cities considering similar bans; in Cincinnati nearly identical billboard restrictions are under legal fire. Lawyers for Penn Advertising of Baltimore Inc., the ad agency that challenged the Maryland ordinance, will seek a review by the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that the ban is too broad. A coalition of Baltimore community groups and elected officials pushed for the ban because they believed the ads target low-income youth. City council reviewed 10 studies showing that cigarette ads stimulate smoking among youths. It also relied on a 1992 drug survey by the state that found cigarettes are the second most commonly abused substance by adolescents in Maryland. The FDA wants to ban cigarette advertising within 1000 feet of schools and playgrounds. Other proposed restrictions would require black and white text only outdoor ads and in many magazines, bans on free samples, promotional giveaways and brand name sponsorships at sporting events.