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CBS Outdoor Endangers San Francisco Youth; Beer, Wine and Liquor Ads Found Near Schools and Churches

Contact: Mike Scippa, 415-257-2490; Shailushi Ritchie, 415-257-2488

 

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 18 /Standard Newswire/ -- Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, released a report documenting CBS Outdoor's blatant disregard for both national voluntary alcohol advertising standards and its contract with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MUNI). The watchdog's survey of just three of San Francisco's eleven supervisorial districts found 15 alcohol ads in direct violation of the ad company's contract language and/or alcohol industry guidelines designed to reduce youth exposure. The three by five foot, street level ads were found on bus and light rail passenger shelters within a block of nine different elementary, middle and high schools.

 

MUNI policy prohibits alcohol advertising anywhere in the city except for select areas. National voluntary advertising standards for both liquor and beer restrict ads from within 500 feet of elementary and secondary schools, and churches. The Beer Institute Code also rules out advertising near public playgrounds.

 

"CBS Outdoor is doing the alcohol industry's dirty work by pushing alcohol to San Francisco youth," said Bruce Livingston, executive director of Marin Institute. "In one afternoon, we found 15 abusive ads in less than a third of the city. CBS Outdoor is grossly violating a contract amendment they signed just two months ago. Tens of thousands of youth are exposed to these ads, which could lead to excessive teenage drinking."

 

Brands featured in the offending ads include Miller beer (4 ads), Yellow Tail chardonnay (5 ads), Glenfiddich scotch (3 ads), and Bailey's Irish Cream (3 ads). Supervisor Jake McGoldrick and other city officials will send letters of complaint concerning these ads to the appropriate national industry trade groups.

 

The survey, conducted on January 8, 2007, looked at MUNI bus and light rail shelter ads within 500 feet of any school or accredited college in SF Supervisor Districts 1, 5, and 7. Surveyors also noted transit enclosure ads near churches and playgrounds.

 

The complete survey report is available online at www.MarinInstitute.org. The full title of the report is "Numerous CBS Outdoor Alcohol Advertisements Endanger San Francisco Children." The principal author is Michele Simon, JD, MPH, Research and Policy Director of Marin Institute, a noted author and writer.

 

Marin Institute is a national alcohol industry watchdog based in San Rafael, Calif. For more information, visit http://www.MarinInstitute.org.


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