Cigarette Advertising Bans and Smoking: The Flawed Policy Connection

Bans on the advertising of tobacco products are often justified on the grounds that they will reduce smoking initiation by the young and tobacco consumption by adults. This premise can be seriously challenged on the basis of: (1) studies of juvenile smoking determinants; (2) the experience of countries with such an advertising ban; and (3) statistics on adult tobacco consumption in a variety of countries. As such, it provides no serious basis for public policy to curtail smoking through advertising bans.