Why ban tobacco advertising?
Billions is spent each year by the tobacco industry on promotion, sponsorship and advertising of their products. Tobacco advertising increases tobacco increases tobacco consumption which in turn kills people. The section outlines the history related to tobacco advertising.
Journal Article: The return of scare tactics (External Web Page)
Article in Tobacco Control about the use of scare tactics in tobacco control advertising. By David Hill, Simon Chapman and Robert Donovan. Tobacco Control, 1998, 7: 5-8 (Spring).
The Law: The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002
This section of our law guide provides a brief overview of the law and direct links to the Act and regulations.
Essential Information 19: Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Purchase Hard Copy £1.00)
Despite efforts by governments to restrict or ban tobacco advertising, the tobacco industry continues to spend billions of pounds worldwide promoting its hazardous products. Tobacco advertising encourages children to start smoking and reinforces the social acceptability of the habit among adults.
Frequently asked questions on Advertising
Some frequently asked questions around Tobacco advertising and promotion - why it should be strictly regulated and the case for an outright ban. Also debunks some of the myths invented by the tobacco industry.
The history of the campaign to ban tobacco advertising in the UK
Overview and timetable for implementing the ban on tobacco advertising
The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act came into force on 14 Feb 2003, banning most forms of direct advertising from the outset. Other forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship were phased out over the following two years.
Legal ruling on Point of Sale Regulations (External Web Page)
The tobacco industry challenged the law relating to tobacco advertising at the point of sale. However the High Court ruled that the regulations are lawful. This is the High Court's judgment.
Examples of point of sale adverts before and after the ban
The new regulations state that tobacco advertising at the point of sale is to be limited to one A5 size ad. Here are examples of tobacco advertising before and after the new regulations came into force.
ASH briefing: The UK ban on tobacco advertising
ASH briefing on the UK ban on the tobacco advertising and sponsorship ban. Information regarding the implementation timetable. This ASH document provided evidence and arguments to support the passage of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotions Act. Evidence of the impact of tobacco advertising on health and responses to common distracting arguments used by the tobacco industry. This document was used to brief MPs during the passage of the recent UK Tobacco Advertising and Promotion.
Latest Archived Items - access the rest of the archive here
Refining indirect tobacco advertising in Malaysia (External Web Page)
Simon Chapman and Mary Assunta of the University of Sydney examine the ways in which the tobacco industry have attempted to circumvent restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. Based on research of internal industry documents, the paper highlights exactly why and how Malaysia is fast coming to be dubbed the 'brand-stretching capital of the world'. Tobacco Control Journal: 2004, (Suppl 2) ii63-70.
ASH Letter to the Health Council over concerns about the Tobacco Advertising Directive
This letter sets out concerns about the directive. A previous EC directive to ban tobacco advertising 98/43/EC was struck down by a European Court of Justice ruling (Case C-376/98). The new directive is formulated to act within the Commission's conservative view of the narrow boundaries of EU competence established by the treaty as interpreted by the European Court of Justice - as such it does not ban 'indirect advertising' (advertising for brand-stretching) and as a result has a giant loophole.
ASH responds to the Proposed EU Directive on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship
ASH's response to the EU directive on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship
