The Controversy Of Banning Tobacco Advertising

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Tobacco products have long been a source of controversy. Although scientific data has proven that cigarettes contain harmful ingredients, they continue to be sold or smuggled into every country in the world. Famously, in 1960, the US Surgeon Dr. Luther Terry the devastating effects of tobacco use (General, 1972). Tobacco firms have since faced an uphill battle throughout developed countries. This has placed World governments, but also big tobacco companies, in a uniquely awkward situation. On the one hand, tobacco companies have been allowed to legally produce an addictive and toxic product for human consumption. Profits from their business have been massive. Mehra (n.d) conducted revenue analysis for 2014 and determined RJ Reynolds had received 6.8 billion dollars. On the other hand, World governments have made huge pushes towards strangling tobacco companies. This, presented as a public service, can be seen in the form of levied taxes and bans advertising. It is these bands on Tobacco advertising that I wish to address. Specifically, a February 2001 announcement by the government of India, to ban advertising by tobacco companies (ICMR, n.d.). …show more content…

The banning of tobacco advertising is nothing new. In countries such as Belgium, constitutional precedent has been set in favor of such bans (ICMR, n.d.).. The thinking is that if Government can regulate the distribution and advertising of dangerous products, why not tobacco? Moreover, cigarettes have been shown to adversely affect Public Health. In light of this, many believe legislation should be passed and enforced, by governments, with the intention of reducing and eliminating tobacco advertising. Concerning too many is the interpreted appeal of advertising on youth. It’s been suggested that tobacco companies maliciously target young people, for advertising, to maintain an addicted base for continued revenues (ICMR,

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