"The City of Los Angeles has taken another step towards truly protecting its most vulnerable residents," stated Jorge Castillo, Advocacy Director for Alcohol Justice. "We thank Councilmembers Huizar, Englander, and Koretz for their leadership on this critical public health and safety issue."
According
to L.A. County Department of Public Health, alcohol-related crashes,
violent crimes and deaths cost the county more than $10.8 billion
every year. Families and youth utilize city owned and controlled
property on a daily basis, such as school buildings, recreation centers,
libraries and bus shelters.
"This
is in line with my administration's focus on improving the quality of
life all Angelinos and helping boosting the sense of pride people have
in our neighborhoods," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Dennis Hathaway, president of the Ban Billboard Blight coalition said, "We
applaud the City Council for recognizing that the public right-of-way
should not be used to help market products that cause harm to our youth
and burden taxpayers with millions in costs for law enforcement,
medical, and other services related to alcohol abuse."
The
L.A. County Department of Public Health had recommended reducing
alcohol advertising in public spaces and in areas commonly seen by
minors as a way to help discourage underage drinking. Over the past few
years UCLA, Rand Corp., Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Dr. Jonathan Fielding,
Alcohol Justice, and the L.A. Department of Public Health submitted
clear and compelling evidence that alcohol advertising on city owned
property encourages youth alcohol consumption, which leads to harm.
"This
ordinance says YES, we can do our part to limit underage consumption of
alcohol and the problems associated with alcohol use," stated Councilmember Koretz, co-author of the measure.
"I want to thank everyone involved…but first and foremost, I thank the people of the communities of Los Angeles
for speaking up so caringly and powerfully, as is clear from the
sterling efforts of the Coalition to Ban Alcohol Ads on Public Property
in Los Angeles and Alcohol Justice."
"As a City, we must be conscientious of exposing our children to images which encourage irresponsible behavior," said Councilmember Mitchell Englander.
"By banning alcohol advertisements on City property on future City contracts, we have taken an essential step in making the City of Los Angeles safer for our children and families."
In
the summer of 2011, NoAlcoholAds.org, along with former Councilmember
Alarcón, were able to influence a bus bench contract that effectively
banned alcohol ads from 6,000 bus benches in L.A. Immediately after that
victory they set a new goal to remove alcohol ads from all parts of the
transit system.
"Communities benefit from healthy and positive messages and I'm proud of the City of Los Angeles for making the commitment to protect our families from alcohol advertisements," stated Carol Lee,
Community Organizer, Koreatown and Community Center. "The
City is paving the way for a healthier city, one which encourages
healthy lifestyles and extracurricular activities for children."
"Alcohol
ads on city property send the wrong message to our youth, especially
children in low-income and working-class communities where these type of
ads are more prevalent," said Councilmember
Huizar, one of the original signers of the motion.
"This is truly a community victory and I congratulate and thank all the
groups and individuals who fought to make this a reality."
"Money should never be part of this discussion," stated Kitty Dukakis, former First Lady of Massachusetts, a strong supporter of the campaign.
"It is very dangerous. Young people that see those signs suffer great harm in their lives from the use of alcohol."
"Today L.A. joins the Bay Area, San Diego, San Jose and many other transit districts in getting alcohol ads off bus shelters and other public property to help reduce alcohol-related harm," stated Bruce Lee Livingston, Executive Director/CEO of Alcohol Justice. "Now we can say that all California's public transit systems will finally be free from Big Alcohol's harmful messages."
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
- The Wall – Las Memorias Project
- 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 go to: www.AlcoholJustice.org and www.NoAlcoholAds.org
SOURCE Alcohol Justice
RELATED LINKS
http://www.AlcoholJustice.org
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