Outdoor advertisements of alcoholic beverages like beer, wine or whiskey will soon no longer be allowed to go up near schools and parks in Garden Grove.
Last week, Garden Grove City Council members voted unanimously on an ordinance banning the advertisement of alcohol on billboards and signs within 500 feet of a school, playground, child care facility or library at the request of Councilwoman Yesenia Muñeton.
“I want to assure that our students and our children and the community are safe,” said Muñeton at the Aug. 12 city council meeting.
A majority of her colleagues thanked her for bringing forth the item.
It comes after an alcoholic beverage company painted a mural across a local elementary school advertising their product, according to a staff report.
To view the draft ordinance, click here.
“I probably would have passed this sign, and not even, you know, focus. So it was good that you could bring that focus to this council and provide some effective change in our city that will be positive for future generations,” said Councilman George Brietigam at the Aug. 12 meeting.
Numerous studies conducted and reported by organizations like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism show that greater exposure to alcohol marketing leads to increased underage drinking.
Studies also show underage drinking contributes to increased accidents and injuries, increased risks of sexual and physical assault, interferes with brain development and increases the risks of alcohol problems later in life.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.