Newspapers Ban Tobacco Ads

The HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN is banning tobacco advertising because "it's the responsible thing to do," said publisher John Flanagan.

The ban, which takes effect immediately, was prompted by reader complaints over two recent tobacco ads. The STAR-BULLETIN is Hawaii's second largest daily newspaper.

Source:
USA TODAY, (5/27/99) "Hawaii", p. A13
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Kansas Newspaper Reverses Decision To Lift Tobacco Ad Ban
Tom Bell, editor of the SALINA (KS) JOURNAL, announced last week that he has reversed his recent decision to lift the paper's 14-year ban on tobacco ads.

Bell announced he was lifting the ban about two weeks ago because tobacco was a legal product, and he didn't believe that adults should be shielded from information about legal products.

That decision prompted numerous calls and letters from the community. Bell said he still stands by that principle, but was swayed by the community's response. "I had to consider what this issue means to the community," Bell said. "This community is unique in that they adopted our stance as theirs."

Bell's decision to reinstate the tobacco ban was hailed by health advocates. "People look to the SALINA JOURNAL for leadership -- I think a decision like this will be respected," said Steve Henoch of the Salina Prevention Partnership.

Source:
SALINA (KS) JOURNAL, (5/29/99), "Journal Reverses Tobacco Decision," Michael Strand