NYC Bans Ads for Alcohol Products on Buses, Subways

New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) board has passed a resolution banning all advertising for alcohol products over concerns that exposure to the ads “influences many young people to start drinking earlier and to drink more,” which “leads to much higher public health and safety costs.” Although the primary purpose for MTA ads is to raise revenue, alcohol ads account for about $2.8 million annually, about 2 percent of the $144.8 million raised in 2016. Other cities that have instituted similar bans reportedly include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, San Diego and Baltimore; Chicago and Atlanta allow the ads, the board said, but “with restrictions that limit their exposure to young people.” The ban will take effect January 1, 2018, but MTA stopped contracting for additional advertising as of October 25, 2017.