How does the government regulate advertisement and promotion?

As many of us know, extremely large sums of money are spent by tobacco companies advertising their products. In the past, tobacco companies have targeted children and teenagers. Statistics show that as of 2010, 20% of high school students smoke. This young audience is a target to tobacco companies because studies have shown that 90% of smokers began the habit prior to the age of 18. At such a young age, many are unable to understand the short and long-term effects of smoking.  There have been efforts to prevent this. The tobacco industry, in 1996, challenged and defeated efforts to restrict their actions. In 2010, however, legislation was passed to regulate the $89 billion tobacco industry. According to The Washington Post, the law "gives the agency (FDA) vast authority to regulate the ingredients in tobacco products and the way they are distributed, sold and marketed," (2010). In result of this law, cigarette samples were outlawed, children under 18 were prohibited from purchasing tobacco products without photo identification, banned tobacco companies from sponsoring sporting events, and placed many more restrictions upon the industry. At the time, many questioned the law. Since, however, even more regulations on tobacco promotion have been put into place to protect children and teens.


Caitlin B. H.

Reference:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/18/AR2010031803004.html