COUNCIL SUPPORTS SIGN BAN; MEASURE TARGETS TOBACCO, BOOZE ADS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

In another effort to deter alcohol and tobacco use by minors, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a ban on any outdoor advertising for the products within 1,000 feet of schools, residential areas or locations where young people gather.

Despite threats of legal action challenging the law as violating the First Amendment, officials said they were confident there was a good possibility the measure, approved on a 13-0 vote, would be upheld by the courts.

``This is a basic issue,'' said Councilman Mike Feuer, who pushed through the measure. ``This is about whether we put alcohol and tobacco first or if we put kids first. I say we put kids first.''

The proposal, which also bans window displays, now goes to Mayor Richard Riordan, who aides said has not made a decision. If he signs the measure, it would not take effect for one year to give billboard companies time to amortize their costs.

The Los Angeles law is modeled after similar proposals adopted by Los Angeles County and a number of cities across the country, including Baltimore, Md., and Tacoma, Wash.

However, a law enacted in Chicago was overturned recently and officials representing billboard companies said they were confident the Los Angeles measure likewise could be overturned.

``I think I can say with confidence there will be a legal challenge,'' said Rex Heinke, an attorney representing billboard companies, who said the measure represented an example of government censorship.

``You want to ban advertising for tobacco and alcohol, yet you have an exemption for announcements against their use. That is government censorship, pure and simple.''

Also, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California submitted a letter to the council advising that it believes the restrictions are unconstitutional.

Feuer and others said they believe the city's law will be allowed to take effect.

``I think this carefully deals with the First Amendment issues,'' said Councilman Joel Wachs. ``What is more important is trying to control these signs.''

The emotional issue was underscored by a number of residents who came to City Hall in buses arranged by Feuer for a brief demonstration before the council meeting, urging the measure's passage.

Barbara Bloomberg, a founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said she did not realize the impact of the advertisements until her son, Seth, was killed by a drunk driver in 1980.

``We are still living with this nightmare from 18 years ago,'' Bloomberg said. ``At that time, I had no idea of the insidiousness of the alcohol industry. We have to do something to control their advertising.''