Alcohol Justice to Release New National Report on Alcohol Advertising on Public Transit
MEDIA ADVISORY
For events occurring October 25, 2013
LOS ANGELES, CA (October 23, 2013) – Alcohol Justice, youth, adults, and community organizations that make up the Coalition to Ban Alcohol Ads on Public Property in Los Angeles (www.NoAlcoholAds.org) will hold a press conference Friday, October 25, 2013, to release a new report on the state of alcohol advertising on public transit titled “These Bus Ads Don’t Stop for Children.” They will also encourage passage of a local ordinance supported by Council Member Paul Koretz to prohibit alcohol advertising on city-owned and controlled property.
What: Press Conference
When: Friday, October 25, 2013 9:00 AM
Where: Los Angeles City Hall, West 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Speakers include:
- Kurtwood Smith, Actor, Activist, MC of event
- Paul Koretz, Los Angeles City Councilmember
- Sarah Blanch - Project Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
- Richard Zaldivar – founder, The Wall – Las Memorias Project
- Ruben Rodriguez, Executive Director, Pueblo y Salud, Inc.
- Janice Boafo - Project Coordinator and Program Operations Supervisor, Tarzana Treatment Center
- Bruce Lee Livingston, Executive Director / CEO, Alcohol Justice
- Terry Marquez, Chair, Boyle Heights Stakeholders Association, NW
- Jerry Grenard, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University
- Dennis Hathaway, President, Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight
- John O. Whitaker, Jr., CDS, CATC II, President, Paso Por Paso
- Kevin M. Key, Community Organizer, United Coalition East Prevention Project
Why:
Lawmakers should work to ban alcohol advertising on property that government controls, including public transportation vehicles and street furniture and restrict alcohol advertising in out-of-home locations elsewhere as well.
- Families and youth utilize city owned and controlled property on a daily basis, such as school buildings, recreation centers, libraries and bus shelters
- Last December, UCLA, Center for Alcohol Marketing to Youth, & Dr. Jonathan Fielding submitted clear and compelling evidence that alcohol advertising on city owned property encourages youth alcohol consumption which leads to harm
- The L.A. County Department of Public Health has recommended reducing alcohol advertising in public spaces and in areas commonly seen by minors as a way to help discourage underage drinking
- The City of Los Angeles should play a positive role in reducing exposure to alcohol ads to protect youth and reduce alcohol-related harm to all residents and visitors of Los Angeles
- Despite claims of economic necessity, revenue from alcohol ads comprises less than 1% of reporting agencies’ operating revenue
Coalition members include:
- American Indian Movement – WEST
- Alcohol Justice
- Asian American Drug Abuse Program Inc.
- Boyle Heights Stakeholders Association
- Boyle Heights Coalition for a Safe & Drug Free Community
- California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight
- Community Coalition
- Institute for Public Strategies
- Koreatown Youth & Community Center
- Mexican History Foundation
- Mothers of East L.A. (MELA)
- Personal Involvement Center, Inc.
- P3 Partnership for a Positive Pomona
- Phoenix House
- Pillar of Fire Church
- Paso por Paso
- Pueblo y Salud
- Saving Lives Drug and Alcohol Coalition
- Sycamore Grove School
- Tarzana Treatment Centers & AWARE Coalition
- United Coalition East Prevention Project
- Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
- Women Against Gun Violence
- Writers In Treatment
Supporters include:
- Michael & Kitty Dukakis, former Massachusetts Governor & First Lady
- Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council
- California Council on Alcohol Problems
- California Alliance for Retired Americans
- Center for Living and Learning
- County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators’ Association of California
- Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition
- Cri-Help
- Day One Pasadena
- Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick
- Monsignor John Moretta
- NCADD East San Gabriel & Pomona Valleys
- Public Citizen
- Resurrection Church Neighborhood Watch – Los Angeles
- San Fernando Valley Partnership
- Venice Neighborhood Council
For more information visit: www.AlcoholJustice.org and www.NoAlcoholAds.org
