Does controlling tobacco advertising help?
A study commissioned by the New Zealand government across 33 countries over 16 years from during 1970 to 1986 demonstrated that the higher the degree of governmental control on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, the larger the annual reduction of tobacco consumption. Further on this point, UK Department of Health’s Chief Economic Adviser reported a drop in tobacco consumption of between 4% and 16% in countries that had implemented a tobacco advertising ban. So, curbs on tobacco advertising do work and that is the reason why many countries have already put them in place and more are starting to do so. Perhaps UAE will follow suit too, knowing its passion for keeping up with the highest standards of living being followed across the world. Useful Links: 1. CDC’s Tobacco Infomation & Prevention Source (TIPS): Home Page, Fact Sheets 2. GLOBALink’s Answers to Pro-tobacco Advertising Arguments 3. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH): Effects of Tobacco Advertising & Promotion 4. Smokefree.gov
