Article: Sparks fly at cigarette ban hearing // Vending machines, ads targeted

Anti-smoking proponents and tobacco industry representatives squared off Thursday on a proposal to ban cigarette vending machines and billboards as a way to discourage smoking by teenagers.

During four hours of testimony before the City Council's Finance Committee, the crackdown proposed by Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) was attacked as "draconian" and a violation of the First Amendment.

The ordinance would ban cigarette vending machines and outdoor advertising of cigarettes in Chicago and raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 19. Burke has said there are 3,722 licensed vending machines in the city.

No vote is expected until after Labor Day.

Melinda Sidak, an attorney for the Tobacco ...

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