It is well-known that tobacco advertising has a significant influence on young people, encouraging them to start using tobacco products. This has been a topic of debate for many years, with many people believing that legislative measures should be taken to restrict the promotion and advertising of tobacco. Research has shown that, between 1981 and 1992, when the tobacco industry more than doubled its advertising and promotion spending, smoking among high school seniors only decreased by 3%. This indicates that the effects of advertising may not be as strong as some people believe.
In order to reduce the influence of tobacco advertising on young people, states and localities should severely restrict the advertising and promotion of tobacco products on billboards and other outdoor media, in vehicles, in public transportation facilities, in public stadiums and sports facilities, and at retail outlets. Advertising should be limited to a headstone format in print media, including magazines and newspapers, or in other visual media such as videotapes, video discs, arcade video games or movies. The Committee has approved the headstone format because it eliminates the characteristics of advertising that tend to encourage tobacco use among children and young people. This justifies legislation that restricts the characteristics of advertising and promotion that make tobacco use attractive to young people.
The distribution of marketing expenses by the tobacco industry over the past two decades has changed significantly; in general, the relationship between promotion expenses and advertising expenses has been reversed. The images associated with advertising and promotion send a message that smoking is desirable, socially approved, safe and healthy behavior. This contributes to the multiple psychosocial influences that lead children and young people to start using these products and become addicted to them. It is clear that tobacco advertising has a significant impact on the economy. It encourages young people to start using tobacco products, leading to addiction and health problems.
Therefore, it is important for states and localities to take measures to restrict the advertising and promotion of tobacco products in order to reduce its influence on young people.
