In April 1970, Congress passed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act which banned cigarette advertising from all television and radio networks, including ABC, when it took effect on January 2, 1971. Citing limited profitability of its cinemas, ABC Great States, the Central West division of ABC Theatres, was sold to Henry Plitt in 1974. On January 17, 1972, Elton Rule was named President and Chief Operating Officer of ABC a few months after Goldenson reduced his role in the company after suffering a heart attack.
What did the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act ban? When did the ban on cigarette advertising take effect for television networks? Who was ABC Great States sold to in 1974? Who was named the president and CEO of ABC after Goldenson suffered a heart attack?