Nation IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Transit Panel OKs Cigarette Ad Ban

The agency that operates New York’s subways, buses and suburban rail lines voted to ban cigarette advertising when current contracts for the ads expire. The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted 10-1 to ban smoking ads, which bring in at least $4.5 million a year in revenues, MTA spokesman Tito DaVila said. He said the ban would take effect Jan. 1, 1993, for subway trains and buses and March, 1994, for the Long Island railroad and the Metro North commuter line. Tobacco advertisements account for 20% of the MTA’s advertising. The advertising and tobacco industries protested the ban. Cigarette companies were reviewing the ruling for possible First Amendment violations, said a Tobacco Institute spokesman.