Alcohol and
tobacco in the past have typically been geared towards adults but in the last
few years it appears that these commercials and ads have been used to promote
underage drinking and tobacco use. Many studies have found a correlation
between number of alcohol/tobacco commercials and their use in youth. The
target market for these drugs is between 12-15 years of age and show a true
problem with the advertising industry. Public health does not appear to be a
concern for many of these companies. They are trying to get kids to be set on a
brand name early on as this will stick with them for years. With the research
that has shown results that youth are influenced very easily by these
commercials that show fun and excitement regarding the alcohol and tobacco commercials,
these drug companies argue they are not targeting the illegal to use youth.
I personally am
astonished and appalled that more restriction has not been taken with these
companies here in our country. Many other countries have either outlawed or
severely restricted the use of alcohol and tobacco commercials in ads. These ads
help to sponsor cultural and local events where advertising for the particular
product is seen everywhere, to buses, and TV. The biggest problem I have is the
advertisements on TV because it is a more passive process than on the train or
at a party. You would expect those to be there. On TV however the environment
and commercials are changing so quickly that often we don’t even notice the
effect that they have on us. We all want happiness and that is what these
companies are portraying. I think that these commercials on TV should be
abolished. Political and the economy laws in this country make it difficult
because it is supposed to be a free market. To completely abolish these commercials
on TV would take an act of God because many politicians’ campaign funds come
from big business like alcohol and tobacco. The companies would also sue the
government because of the rights to free speech and the cut in business that
they would get if these were to be abolished, not to mention the alcohol and
manufacturing communities that would take a huge hit if this were to happen.
Since these
commercials are legal to be put on TV then we need to put in place prevention
programs to combat the commercials to make them less effective and influential
on the young people. Helping in their critical decision making skills will go a
long way in helping to keep kids from involving themselves in these situations
to use drugs before their reach at least their legal ages but may in fact help
them to stay away from these drugs for good. The need for prevention education
to help in these decision skills is something I would like to promote because
the statistics show that the influence commercials and other ads have on kids
is a very real problem. Communities must decide for themselves what they will allow for their kids to watch.
Seth Mayfield
References:
http://www.epi.umn.edu/alcohol/policy/adrstrct.shtm
No comments:
Post a Comment