What year did U.S. President Richard Nixon sign a bill banning cigarette ads on TV and radio?

In 1970 the legislation which officially banned the advertisement of cigarettes on TV and radio was signed by Richard Nixon. The president used to be a heavy smoker, but supported the legislation at the increasing insistence of public health advocates.

In 1969 Congress met the public health sector halfway and immediately signed the Cigarette Smoking Act. This act put a well-known warning label on every pack of cigarettes that had been produced since then.

Public health activists called for stronger warning labels on packs of cigarettes to bring heavy smokers to reason. They also wanted all the tobacco advertisements banned from radio and TV to protect children from their harmful influence. Cigarettes were advertised on the American TV for the last time on the 1st of January, 1971. About 17% of the US residents smoke nowadays.