Remove Alcohol Ads from the "T"

The 25,000 Boston-area youth who take the bus and subway every day are inundated with alcohol ads on MBTA property.

Research increasingly shows that alcohol ads lead to increased alcohol consumption, particularly among underage drinkers. Yet the T refuses to even consider changing its alcohol advertising policies. Learn more about alcohol ads on the T

The T management already prohibits tobacco promotions. It's time that they help protect Massachusetts kids by adding a ban on alcohol advertising. Write to the MBTA General Manager today. VERY IMPORTANT: Please edit or replace the sample letter below with your own words, especially the first paragraph.

Subject:

Dear Mr. Grabauskas,

(Edit Letter Below)

As a Massachusetts resident and taxpayer, I strongly support the efforts of the MBTAA Collaborative to remove alcohol ads from the "T" public transit system.

Greater Boston youth depend on the "T" to get to school and get around after school. They are inundated with alcohol ads every day. Underage drinking is a huge public health problem, and a federal NIAAA study concluded that exposure to alcohol ads contributes to increased drinking by youth.

Alcohol ads make up only a fraction (.1%) of MBTA revenues. The health and safety of our kids is worth much more. The T does not allow advertising for tobacco and weapons, and alcohol advertising should be prohibited as well.

I urge you to remove all alcohol ads from the T, establish a working group to lead this process, and publicize the agency's commitment to addressing alcohol advertising to communities throughout eastern Massachusetts. I also support the proposed request by the MBTAA Collaborative to work with T administrators and the Riders Oversight Committee to review and revise advertising policies.

I hope that the MBTA, as a publicly-owned state agency, will respond to public opinion and support these efforts to protect our kids.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Take Action on this Issue

Send this message to:

Mr. Dan Grabauskas (if you live in Massachusetts)
cc: Governor Deval Patrick (if you live in Massachusetts)
cc: Your Representative (if you live in Massachusetts)
cc: Your State Senator (if you live in Massachusetts)

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