by Ryan Murga

Created on: July 01, 2008   Last Updated: July 03, 2008

Tobacco advertising is not violating the rights or infringing the privacy of anyone; in fact, tobacco advertising is covered under free speech and press. Some articles have been written assuming that it is already illegal to advertise tobacco anywhere in the world, but it is indeed legal in some countries (the USA for example). The debate here is whether it should remain so, or whether it should be made legal in countries that have already banned tobacco advertising..

Admittedly, the adverse effects of smoking are life-threatening, and smoking as a habit is frowned upon by medical officials. In fact, even the tobacco companies admit and even warn people about the effects of smoking. So why have the tobacco companies been put under pressure and looked upon as menaces? Because they knowingly promote and produce a known evil; but I digress. The tobacco companies, though distributors of death they may be, still have the right to advertise their product. They are, in fact, businesses, producing and marketing a viable product in a capitalist market. The natural path for any normal company is to advertise its product as much as possible, even if they have to put fine-print warnings on the product to let people know it could kill them.

Most commonly seen advertising tobacco are out-door bill-boards along roads and highways. These are owned by advertising companies, who, in turn, rent the signs to paying customers (in this case, tobacco companies). Following the argument, "Should tobacco advertising be permitted?", will not the bill-board companies also be penalized?

While I do not support the use of tobacco in any form, I also do not believe that tobacco companies should be kept from marketing their product. Though (supposedly) less harmful, soft drinks are often advertised publicly; are these companies invading privacy or infringing on any rights? No, they are not. Alcoholic beverages are also dangerous and life-threatening, causing problems from habitual drunkenness to liver disease, yet few people complain about beer or vodka commercials and advertisements.

Yet another harmful product is ironically designed to help cure diseases: prescription drugs. Have you ever taken the time to read the side effects to your prescribed pain medication, antibiotics, or other drugs? Some prescription drugs can even cause death, yet tobacco products, far from causing immediate harm, are frowned upon. Of course, may will argue that the side-effects are rare and that the benefits of prescription drugs out-weigh the possible harm. I admit, that may be true, but tobacco's effects are not felt till long after a habit has formed, giving the person plenty of time to get off of it.

How can tobacco companies be singled out and told not to advertise their product when many other companies are marketing products just as or more harmful than tobacco?

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