Massachusetts Banding Together Against Alcohol-Advertising (MBTAA) Collaborative

Massachusetts Banding Together Against Alcohol-Advertising (MBTAA) Collaborative is a group of concerned community members and youth, who came together out of concern for the negative impact of alcohol ads on and in buses, trains, and "T" stations. The Collaborative seeks to remove alcohol advertising from the "T".

May 3, 2007 Conference on Alcohol Advertising in New England

MBTAA Collaborative Partners

Boston Area Tobacco Control Coalition
Boston Public Health Commission
Boston Public Schools
Brookline Coalition Against Substance Abuse
Brookline Public Health Commission
Brookline Public Schools
Bowdoin Street Health Center
Cambridge Regional Center for Healthy Communities
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
Dorchester Substance Abuse Coalition
Everett Community Health Improvement Partnership
Greater Boston Center for Healthy Communities
Harvard School of Public Health
Impact Quincy
Join Together, Boston University School of Public Health
Massachusettts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (DPH)
Massachusetts Public Health Association
MADD
Malden YWCA
MOAR - MA Organizing for Addition Recovery
MA SADD
The Medical Foundation
Northeast Center for Healthy Communities
Project R.I.G.H.T./DAPS Youth
Parents and Youth (Greater Boston)
Revere CARES
Roslindale Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (RCMA)
Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP)
South Boston CAN Reduce Underage Drinking
South Boston FANS Coalition
South Boston Youth Developmental Assets Campaign
Winthrop CASA

MBTAA Activities

Members offered testimony at a "T" Riders Oversight Committee meeting and publicly appealed for removal of alcohol ads.
Youth conducted a photo survey, documenting over 140 alcohol ads in and on trains, buses, and stations.
Met with legislators from the Joint Commission of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to share research and photos and gain support, which led to assistance in arranging a meeting with "T" administrators.
Youth conducted a poll and shared their findings at a press conference - 82% of Boston youth surveyed want the "T" to remove alcohol ads.
Met with "T" administrators to request the removal of alcohol ads, revision of current policies to prohibit alcohol ads, and formation of a working group (including MBTAA members) to initiate the process.
Obtained "T" advertising policies which do not allow tobacco or weapons to be advertised.
Obtained "T" financial records (through FOIA request) and learned that alcohol ad revenues make up just a fraction (.1%) of total revenues.

The "T" administration has not been receptive to MBTAA requests. The Collaborative has undertaken a Letter of Endorsement Campaign to demonstrate our broad based support. So far, 23 Collaborative members, 28 additional organizations and over 200 individuals have signed on in support of removing alcohol ads from the "T". Join Us!

Tell the MBTA that public transit is no place to promote alcohol