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San Francisco To Consider Ban on Yellow Pages

SAN FRANCISCO (AP/KCBS) - San Francisco could soon become the first city in the nation to ban the unsolicited distribution of the Yellow Pages.

Board of Supervisors President David Chiu plans to introduce a proposal on Tuesday that would require a consumer's approval before the Yellow Pages could be dropped off at a home or office.

Besides, he says the Internet has made them unnecessary.

"I think the Yellow Pages were a very relevant tool in the 20th century," he reasoned. "The current five to ten pound book of the Yellow Pages is really an obsolete tool."

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

Chiu believes many of the phone books end up unopened in the recycling bin.

Chiu's proposal includes fines of up to $500 for unsolicited deliveries. It would not affect distribution of the white pages.

Yellow Pages Association spokeswoman Amy Healy says the industry group favors a voluntary opt-out proposal. She says an outright ban would infringe on the group's right to distribute speech.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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