It is no secret that smoking is a major health hazard, and the evidence is clear that general advertising bans lead to a reduction in the number of people who start smoking and continue to smoke. Statistics show that banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the demand for tobacco and can be considered one of the best options for tobacco control. This has been demonstrated in countries such as the United Kingdom, where the overall importance of tobacco marketing declined significantly during a study period. In response, the American Medical Association has called for a ban on all tobacco product advertising and promotion. The changes in knowledge of tobacco marketing were similar across different socioeconomic strata, with the exception of advertising on billboards and artistic sponsorships, which were reduced more dramatically among people in the high SES group than among those in the low SES group.
This highlights the need for stricter regulations, particularly on channels that were not regulated by the government but were taken advantage of by the tobacco industry, such as in-store advertisements and special offers. Research has suggested that advertising may be related to nearly a third of tobacco and alcohol use among teens. The moral conclusion drawn from this is that advertising is morally bad since it is misleading and deceptive. The total prohibition of direct and indirect advertising, promotion and sponsorship, as set out in the guidelines of Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, can substantially reduce tobacco consumption and protect people from industry marketing tactics. In addition, this study did not assess the impacts of tobacco marketing regulations on potential smokers and former smokers, two groups that tobacco companies are also targeting. Despite the absence of substantial changes in regulation during the study period, U.
S. respondents experienced a moderate reduction in their knowledge about tobacco marketing. While research suggests that regulations are associated with lower exposure to signs favorable to smoking in all SES groups, evidence indicates that tobacco companies continue to use certain channels to reach significant percentages of smokers in each country. These channels include magazines for teenagers which contain almost 50% more advertisements for beer than magazines aimed at adults, as well as more than 90% more advertisements for sweet alcoholic beverages. Using increasingly sophisticated and covert forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), the tobacco industry links its products to success, fun and glamor.
In addition, the presence of tobacco advertisements in stores makes it difficult for smokers trying to quit smoking to succeed in doing so. It is an important step in combating the smoking epidemic as it interferes with one of the key mechanisms through which tobacco companies increase cigarette consumption. In conclusion, banning tobacco advertising is a necessary step to reduce smoking. It can substantially reduce tobacco consumption and protect people from industry marketing tactics. It also interferes with one of the key mechanisms through which tobacco companies increase cigarette consumption.
Therefore, it is essential that governments enact and enforce stricter regulations on all forms of tobacco advertising.
