"This whole discussion reminds me that I have always wondered why cigarette advertising is prohibited in electronic media (radio, TV), but is still allowed in print media (magazines, newspapers). Do they think potential smokers can't read?"
It's a good question, Firepoint. I think its for one of 2 reasons: (1) either lobbyists and advocates for print media appealed for the right to retain tobacco advertising - pointing out that their profits are shrinking more every year; or (2) it was somehow made a freedom of the press issue.
I think the first reason is more likely. Let's face it, newspapers are almost dead. If you've been paying attention to news magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc) over the past decade or so, you've noticed how much they've shrunk, and how much less advertising they are getting now. Losing those full-page back cover cigarette ads would be another huge blow. On the up side, you can get a subscription to these mags now for almost nothing, since they're so desperate to get their circulation up.
I'm not sure if it's Federal law or just California, but tobacco advertising has been prohibited on billboards and other outdoor advertising here for a few years now. Convenience stores have even had to paint over the cigarette ads that used to cover their store-fronts.
No loss, IMHO.
It's a good question, Firepoint. I think its for one of 2 reasons: (1) either lobbyists and advocates for print media appealed for the right to retain tobacco advertising - pointing out that their profits are shrinking more every year; or (2) it was somehow made a freedom of the press issue.
I think the first reason is more likely. Let's face it, newspapers are almost dead. If you've been paying attention to news magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc) over the past decade or so, you've noticed how much they've shrunk, and how much less advertising they are getting now. Losing those full-page back cover cigarette ads would be another huge blow. On the up side, you can get a subscription to these mags now for almost nothing, since they're so desperate to get their circulation up.
I'm not sure if it's Federal law or just California, but tobacco advertising has been prohibited on billboards and other outdoor advertising here for a few years now. Convenience stores have even had to paint over the cigarette ads that used to cover their store-fronts.
No loss, IMHO.
