Tobacco Billboard Near Park Sparks Protest
Annoyed with a cigarette billboard across the street from a Beverly Hills park, a pediatrician began a campaign last week to have it removed.
The macho image of Philip Morris’ Marlboro Man at Santa Monica Boulevard and Doheny Drive has sparked Trisha Roth’s anger. The billboard is across from Beverly Gardens, a strip park used by walkers and joggers.
“Tobacco is still the first drug our kids get involved in,” Roth said. “And we are giving the kids the message that it is the way to be cool.”
Protesting on the behalf of the community’s children is not a new role for Roth. About eight years ago Roth succeeded in a campaign to ban alcohol, tobacco and gambling advertisements from several billboards near another park.
Representatives of Outdoor Systems Advertising, which owns the billboard, said the company’s policy is to not display tobacco or alcohol advertisements within 500 feet of a school, park, playground or hospital.
A company official was sent Friday to look at the billboard to determine if it violates the policy, said John Carpino, a company spokesman.
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