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Advertising and promotion

Virtually all tobacco advertising is now illegal in the UK and many other countries. The Tobacco Advertising & Promotion Act 2002 was enacted in November 2002 in the UK, with most advertising ending on 14th February 2003 (eg on billboards and in printed publications) and a gradual phase out for the rest (eg direct mail and sponsorship) by July 2005.

Since the tobacco advertising ban, tobacco companies have increasingly relied on displays of tobacco products in shops to attract customers’ attention and stimulate sales. In addition, the cigarette pack has become the main marketing tool to attract and retain customers. As part of the Health Act 2009, tobacco displays at the point of sale will be prohibited in England in large shops (eg supermarkets) from 6 April 2012 and in small shops from 6 April 2015. 

The Government held a public consultation on putting tobacco products in plain packaging. The consultation closed on 10 August 2012. Find out more here on the DH website and click here for the Smokefree Action coalition press release welcoming the consultation (16 April 2012) and ASH press release to mark the end of the consultation.  

For further information see the ASH Briefings (pdf) on Point of Sale Display, Vending Machines and Plain Packaging (you can also download the Autumn 2012 issue of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health's bulletin which covers plain packaging - pdf)


  • Why ban tobacco advertising?

    The case for a ban on all forms of  tobacco advertising.

  • Campaign to ban Tobacco Advertising in the UK

    The high and low points of the campaign to ban tobacco advertising.

  • Sponsorship

    Tobacco companies have concentrated sponsorship on successful, high-profile sports in order to ensure maximum coverage for their products.

  • Smoking in films

    Young people are more likely to smoke if they are frequently exposed to smoking imagery in films.

  • Research and Links

    Links to different advertising campaigns, anti advertising campaigns and links to collections of adverts used by tobacco companies.