Mass. Gets OK to Limit Tobacco Ads Near Schools July 23, 2000
News Summary
Regulations in Massachusetts that limit tobacco advertising near schools and playgrounds were upheld by a federal appeals court, the Wall Street Journal reported July 19.The regulations prohibit billboard and most point-of-sale ads within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.
Tobacco companies fought the regulations in court, saying they violated their free-speech rights and conflicted with federal law that called for warning labels on cigarette packages and ads.
Although several cities throughout the country have adopted similar tobacco advertising restrictions, Massachusetts is the only state to do so. "We think it's a tremendous victory in the commonwealth's effort to reduce tobacco use among children and adolescents, and it certainly could have national significance," said William Porter, the state's assistant attorney general . "Now that the Supreme Court has held that the FDA can't regulate tobacco, much of the focus is on what states and local governments can do."
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