In 1971, the ban on cigarette advertisements on television and radio (specifically on stations that broadcast on FCC-regulated airwaves) came into effect. This meant that anti-smoking advertisements were also suspended, as there was no longer an obligation to broadcast them. On April 1, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed a law that officially prohibited cigarette advertisements on television and radio. Nixon, who was an avid pipe smoker and consumed up to eight bowls a day, supported the legislation at the growing insistence of public health advocates.
Removing tobacco advertising panels from paylines has been proven to reduce the likelihood that teens will smoke. The European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both specified that tobacco advertising should not be allowed. Television (including Philippine cable channels, whether they broadcast foreign or local content, especially during news and public affairs programs) and radio stations would not broadcast tobacco advertising after 7 in the morning. On September 21, 1995, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed the legalization of the Tobacco Product Control Act, requiring tobacco companies operating in Canada to publish hazard warnings on all cigarette packs.
In Hong Kong, tobacco advertising was banned on December 1, 1990 when the territory was still a British colony. The law also gave the Federal Minister for Health and Aging the right to grant exemptions to events of international importance that could result in the event not being held in Australia if tobacco advertising were banned. Studies have shown a relationship between the demographic characteristics of a neighborhood and the advertising and marketing of tobacco in points of sale. Regulations that restrict the marketing of tobacco limit its promotion, placement, flavorings, or prices.
In the United Kingdom, tobacco companies introduced themselves on a large scale into the world of sports sponsorship after the 1965 ban on television advertising for cigarettes. This was done with the intention of circumventing the ban and obtaining a de facto free connection for a mass television audience. Tobacco marketing increases the likelihood that young people will experiment with tobacco products or become smokers. Facebook's unpaid content created and sponsored by tobacco companies is widely used to advertise products containing nicotine, with photos of the products, buttons to buy now and without age restrictions - which contravenes Facebook policies that are ineffectively enforced.
Plain packaging tobacco products has been shown to be less attractive to young people and adults, and can also discourage smoking; including graphic health warnings along with simple packaging can further reduce experimentation with smoking. This law and the Regulations of the General Tobacco Control Act expressly state that the advertising and promotion of tobacco products can only be done through magazines aimed at adults, personal communications by mail or shown in establishments exclusively for adults.
