Which year was the “Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act” implemented, prohibiting television and radio ads from advertising cigarettes in the US?
After World War II (1939-1945) cigarette companies advertised frequently on television programs. Companies used sponsorships, particularly while sporting events were broadcast.
Prior to 1964, many of the cigarette companies advertised their brand by claiming that their product did not have serious health risks. A couple of examples include “Play safe with Phillip Morris” and “More doctors smoke Camels”. Also that same year, ‘The Cigarette Advertising Code’ was created by the tobacco companies, prohibiting the advertising directed toward youth.
In 1970, Congress took the initiative and passed the ‘Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act’, banning the advertising of cigarettes on television and radio. President Nixon signed the bill on April 1, 1970. TV and radio continued advertising up until the effective date of the ACT, January 2, 1971.
More Info:
en.m.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
16 Comments
ronbt
Though I'm not a smoker, this is still akin to censorship in my opinion.
Cohelian
John W Shreve, Never saw an ad for cigs on tv. My fav commercials were buds real men of genius commercials, they were hilarious.
John W Shreve
The best commercials and jingles ever.
John W Shreve
Kelli Gibbs, That's great. I remember around 1958 or so cigarettes were called "coffin nails." Anyone with any sense knew they weren't good for you.
Howard Groopman
Old enough to remember this.
Shelley Welch Dunivan
I was watching a movie from the early 90s the other day and a women who'd just had a baby was smoking in the hospital room. I've seen nurse smoking in the nurses station and Drs in their offices. Hi Ard to believe it was once the norm!
Kelli Gibbs
The push against smoking started in in the sixties, maybe even in the fifties. My grandfather smoked camel cigarettes and we girls used to give him grief about it. We bought him a cigarette dispenser shaped like a coffin with a devils face on one end where the cigarette came out of the devils mouth! Grandpa laughed about the coffin and used it. So I picked the earliest date.
Laurie Johnson Gonzalez
Memories can be deceptive. TV ads ended in 1971.
billyboy915
barbrevis,
The information presented here is accurate, even if the source is Wikipedia.
Here is a corroborating source. I hope this helps.
http://www.byrdcenter.org/byrd-center-blog/the-public-health-cigarette-smoking-act-of-1970
billyboy915
Dennis Lane,
So let me clarify. You are arguing in favor of the economics of the cigarette and coal industries over the health of everyone including those who do not smoke or need to use coal for fuel. That means the rights of the few outweigh the rights of the many, regardless of the damage they do, for 30 pieces of silver!
"Restrictive laws", otherwise known as regulations are necessary for the protection of the public from the damage those industries inflict! SMH
Dennis Lane
barbrevis, Big Tobacco states, if I recall, are pretty staunch about defying laws that are negative to the tobacco industry. I don't recall where this was, but it was in a tobacco state soon after laws were enacted regarding smoking in restaurants. I was a smoker at the time, and the server said, "Don't worry, you can smoke here."
And yes, I know, we're not talking about tobacco as much as we are about the social and economic impact of restrictive laws on the people who work in the industry and rely on it for their livelihood. I experience the same thing regarding coal mining.
Dennis Lane
I remember the TV ads: Come to Marlboro Country. I'd Rather Fight than Switch. LS/MFT. and yes, You've Come A Long Way, Baby. I thought the answer would be late 60s before I opened the answer pane, so I selected 1971, which was the correct answer. Regarding those who remember TV ads later than that, are you thinking of print ads? I think those are gone now, too, but I remember print ads lasting quite a bit longer than TV and radio (I don't remember radio ads). I particularly remember print ads for Eve. As far as not advertising to kids, I remember a great deal of angst regarding Joe Camel and promotional items, which kids seemed to like.
bigbeez nb
Great question! although I got it wrong...
Still one of the best questions.
Lisa Vance
They were still advertised up into the 80's i was born in 73 i completely remember advertisements of the marlboro man and other brands well into the 80's.
Martha Floyd
yes I remember well the cigarettes commercials /Ads I used to go to the store and get Pall Mall cigarettes for my mom u was only 7 years old that wad in the rarly 60s ok I am telling my age that was so long ago😯