MTA Board Eliminates Alcohol Ads, Makes the Right Choice for NYC Kids
New York, NY – October 25, 2017 – A grassroots coalition praised the MTA Board of Directors today for its vote to eliminate alcohol advertising from the vehicles and property of the MTA system.
Over 650,000 young people use New York City Transit to go to and from school. The Board’s action will ensure that those children and youth will not be further exposed to alcohol advertising – a recognized risk factor for underage drinking.
The vote was the culmination of a four-year campaign led by a coalition consisting of youth-serving organizations, faith leaders, public health practitioners, LGBTQ organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens. The coalition, dubbed “Building Alcohol Ad-Free Transit (BAAFT),” garnered endorsements from over 160 organizations across the five boroughs of NYC.
BAAFT partners praised MTA board members – including Veronica Vanterpool, Charles Moerdler, Neal Zuckerman and others – who spoke out passionately in favor of an alcohol-free transit system.
The coalition also recognized NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm who introduced a Council Resolution calling for the alcohol ad ban along with the 26 Council Members who co-sponsored the resolution.
Prior to the vote, Council Members Dromm, Robert Cornegy, Jr. and Cedric McClester, Project Coordinator of Forward South Bronx Coalition, gave compelling testimony at the public comments section of today’s Board Meeting in favor of the alcohol ad ban.
“I applaud the MTA Board of Directors for doing right by NYC children,” said NYC Council MemberDaniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst). “I am pleased that the Authority agrees that beer and liquor advertisements have no place in our transit system. Underage drinking is a serious problem in our city, and I am glad that the MTA is doing its part to push back against it.”
NYC Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights) said “Today the MTA took a decisive step to ensure New York City’s most vulnerable residents – our children – are protected from the negative influence of alcohol advertising. Banning alcohol advertisements on our subways and buses is a critical step toward reducing young people’s interest in alcohol and the MTA board should be commended for moving our City forward in this positive direction.”
“No longer will alcohol companies be permitted to use New York City’s public transportation system to disproportionally target low-income communities and communities of color with aggressive alcohol advertising,” said Kristen Strader, campaign coordinator for Public Citizen. “The MTA’s decision to eliminate alcohol ads is a win for public health and health equity.”
Charmaine Ruddock, Director of Bronx Health REACH said “The Bronx Health REACH Coalition salutes the MTA Board’s decision to ban alcohol ads from all subways, buses and stations. With this decision, the MTA signaled clearly that the health and well-being of all NY City school children takes precedence over the alcohol industry.”
“This is an astounding victory for children,” said Diane Riibe, Chair of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance (USAPA). “New York City got it right today, and on behalf of all our children, we’re calling on cities across the country to follow suit.”
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