Council Moves Toward Ban on Tobacco Billboards

Compton has taken a step toward becoming the first city in the state to ban alcohol and tobacco billboard ads.

“Our children are inundated with provocative images that suggest that alcohol and tobacco consumption leads to happiness,” Mayor Omar Bradley said.

Several communities, including Long Beach and Inglewood, as well as Los Angeles County, have enacted or are considering milder ordinances banning alcohol and tobacco ads within 500 to 1,500 feet of schools and churches. Compton’s proposed measure would follow Baltimore and Chicago in actually banning tobacco and alcohol billboard advertising.

The City Council voted 3-0, with two members not voting, to support the proposed ordinance, but it cannot become law unless it is adopted at a second vote next week.