FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CIV
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1997                        (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

  JUSTICE TAKES STEPS TO ENSURE SMOKE-FREE SUPER BOWL BROADCAST

     WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The Justice Department, as part of its
ongoing effort to keep tobacco advertising off television,
announced today it has taken steps to ensure that coverage of
this Sunday's Super Bowl will be tobacco-free.

     Assistant Attorney General Frank Hunger of the Civil
Division, which is charged with the responsibility of enforcing
the television advertising ban on cigarettes, made the following
statement:

     "We have contacted FOX Television, the Superdome, the
National Football League and Philip Morris to inform              
them that Marlboro signs in the stadium were broadcast  

     during the 1997 Sugar Bowl, and asked their assistance
     in ensuring that the law banning cigarette advertising
     is not violated during this Sunday's Super Bowl
     broadcast.  We have done our part in alerting them to
     the potential problem.  We certainly expect they will
     do their part to comply with the law."

     In 1995, the Department obtained court injunctions against
Philip Morris, Inc., and Madison Square Garden, L.P., to make
sure cigarette advertisements are not broadcast during sports
events.

     In a reply today to the Department, Philip Morris said:
"Philip Morris has made arrangements--for this special event
only--to ensure that the Marlboro sign in question will not be in
place during the Super Bowl."

     Copies of letters sent to all parties are available from the
Office of Public Affairs.
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