High Court Hears Case On Tobacco-Ad Ban Near Schools

By Mark Walsh

Washington

The tobacco industry last week urged the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Massachusetts regulations designed to limit children's exposure to cigarette advertising near schools and parks.

The state's set of rules, which in practical terms mostly affects tobacco advertising at retail stores, is pre-empted by a federal cigarette-advertising law and also violates the tobacco companies' First Amendment rights, said Jeffrey S. Sutton, the lawyer for four major cigarette manufacturers

"It abridges free speech," Mr. Sutton said. "It does suppress a substantial amount of speech directed at adults...