Time to ban cigarette ads in shops - Smokefree Coalition

[The Straight Story]

Time to ban cigarette ads in shops - Smokefree Coalition

New Zealand

The Government should ban cigarette advertising in shops to prove it is serious about reducing youth smoking, the Smokefree Coalition says.

Exposure to tobacco advertising increased the likelihood a child would start to smoke, coalition director Mark Peck said today.

"The Government has until the end of February to respond to a health select committee recommendation that the display on these deadly products be banned at retail outlets.

"For a country that has led the world in tobacco control, it's become an embarrassment that New Zealand still allows cigarettes to be advertised in such a blatant fashion to our most vulnerable citizens."

Cigarette displays were an effective marketing tool for the tobacco industry, Mr Peck said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4849580a11.html

I can't think of anyone I know who started smoking because of an ad in a store. Or drinking for that matter. Or buying mountain dew.

I see a ton of ads in the paper and on tv and I am not rushing out to try all those things.

And yes I was young once and saw a lot more ads for smoking and drinking (I still remember the 'you can call me ray' ads and the 'head for the mountains' beer ads and it never got me to want to drink then).

Meh.