Judge Blocks San Francisco’s Cell Phone Warning

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A U.S. judge has blocked most of a San Francisco ordinance that required warnings about cell phone safety risks, saying it violated the First Amendment.

Health questions about cell phone use grew this year after a group of World Health Organization cancer experts suggested that such use be deemed “possibly carcinogenic.” Industry groups say this does not mean that cell phones cause cancer.

Among the ordinance’s provisions is one requiring retailers to display posters stating that “studies continue to assess potential health effects of mobile phone use.”

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge William Alsup said it was acceptable that customers be given “fact sheets” to discuss possible risks of cell phone use, but insisted on changes so they do not lead customers into believing cell phones are dangerous.

The judge disallowed provisions of the ordinance that mandate large posters and warning stickers on in-store displays.

The city will ask a federal appeals court to uphold part of the ruling allowing the fact sheet to go forward, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said. But, Herrera said he will also ask the appeals court to make clear the city has even broader authority.

“I disagree with his decision to limit the city’s message in the way he has done,” Herrera said.

John Walls, vice presdient of public affairs for wireless industry group CTIA, said the organization was considering its options.

“CTIA respectfully disagrees with the court’s determination that the city could compel distribution of the revised ‘fact sheet,”‘ Walls said.

Alsup ruled that most of the ordinance violated the U.S. Constitution. San Francisco may “within reason” force retailers to communicate its message, Alsup wrote, but “cannot paste its municipal message over the message of the retailers.”

Alsup temporarily blocked enforcement of the ordinance through Nov. 30 pending expected appeals, and said he will void it entirely if the city refuses to revise the fact sheets. The case in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California is CTIA-The Wireless Association v. The City and County of San Francisco, California, 10-cv-3224.

Reporting by Dan Levine in San Francisco and Jon Stempel in New York, editing by Bernard Orr.