Advertising of cigarettes and alcohol

Ban on the advertising of cigarettes and alcohol

Customers have been a critical factor in the growth and decline of every brand and company over the last 50 years. From this point of view, we should understand the necessity of tobacco and alcohol companies to aquire new customers. Also, some have entered into a discussion about whether it is the responsibility of government to protect us from tobacco and alcohol and ban advertising as part of that. The tobacco industry often appeals to “freedom of speech” and would often say that no one forces smokers to smoke, although tobacco companies are fully aware that they are marketing a very addictive product and that their consumption causes several diseases and health problems. But most studies have proved that increased advertising increases demand, while banning advertising leads to reduction in consumption. Because cigarette and alcohol brands became associated with totally different products I don't believe in the success of banning advertising. And when I think about Nike and other corporations which exploit third-world citizens, about corporations (such as Pepsi …) which support the regime in Myanmar or about Shell's mixing oil and blood in Sudan, I can't find a cogent argument for banning tobacco and alcohol.