Why doesn't Alcohol follow the same guidlines for advertising as Tobaccoo?

Question

Both products are Very harmful to society, and to your body. Both are responsible for Multiple thousands of deaths every year. Both are heavily taxed by the government. Why is it that Tobaccoo is NOT allowed to do a lot of advertising, and Alcohol IS? I don't understand why one KNOWN harmful substance is OK to be mass marketed to everyone, and the other isn't. They are both governed under the same outlet of government "ATF" Shouldn't both Very Harmful substances be banned from advertising? And if not, then shouldn't Tobaccoo be able to advertise as aggressively as Alcohol does? Don't get me wrong here, I am agains't advertising for both, but why is the law so different when both products are so similar. Drinking and smoking go hand in hand. So why does our society view one as kind of O.K. and the other as a big Taboo?

Answer 1

That's a really good question. My opinion is that alcohol is more socially acceptable than smoking, therefore companies can get away with advertising it on TV. Drinking is associated with going to the bar/club, watching the game, or just chillin with friends, while smoking is associated with lung cancer, yellow teeth, and smelling like an ashtray. Drinking and smoking both cause different types of cancer, and even cause harm to people who don't use them (i.e. drunk-driving and secondhand smoke), but no one is protesting drinking like they do smoking. In the end I really don't have an answer but it's something to think about. You need to send your thought to www.Truth.com or something! lol


AND WHY ARE PPL SAYING ALCOHOL DOESN'T CAUSE CANCER?!?! Ever heard of Cirrhosis??? It's cancer of the liver!


....AND ALCOHOL IS THE MOST ADDICTIVE DRUG THERE IS! Yes, alcohol is a drug. Withdrawl from alcohol is worse than withdrawl from heroin!

Answer 2

These are obviously legislated and regulated separately. Even at the state level, they are different.

In my state, there is a state permit for "package stores" to sell liquor, beer and wine. Taverns, Clubs, Restaurants and such are also by state permit. It is regulated heavily. But that does not stop the drunk from driving. This does not seem to have the same effect on alcohol advertising; so I spoke with a local package store owner about this.

Basically he said "Alcohol is not really regulated like you would think. The government looks at my business as a tax source, rather than a control source. They want ME to make more money for them, and advertising is encouraged. They threaten me to get me to make higher sales quotas."

Answer 3

Money, honey!!!! The alcohol companies have big bucks to spend on advertising. And the advertising is in the guise of "having a good time", beer and sporting events go together, etc. If the beer companies were as regulated as the tobacco companies, sporting events would probably not survive. Not only do the alcohol companies advertise heavily in sports, but they also SPONSOR sporting events! There is no way in he!! that the alcohol companies will let politicians come between them and their mulah!

Answer 4

YOUR RIGHT. the reason is that the kick back from the alcohol makers is big business for the government. In a LOT of states..... including Pa, and NC liquor sales are government run!!!! I'm not sure how many other states that applies to also.
and to answer the jerk that first replied. YES ALCOHOL KILLS!!!! Drunk drivers, abuse, physical and mental ailments to many to mention. Did you know that about the same amount of people die each year from liver failer due to drinking, then they do to lung cancer. and about 50 percent of the people who die of lung cancer never smoked a day in their lives! And the number of alcoholics is staggering!!!! It's the truth look it up. I would rather be on the road, in my car, with my kids, with other drivers smoking, then with them drinking!!!

Answer 5

At one time, cigarette commercials were the norm but there were no alcohol adverts allowed, just beer and NO PERSONAL PRODUCTS were allowed... then, suddenly, the FCC allowed alcohol and tampax commercials and no more tobacco products... probably someone got paid off... but personally... I'd trade 3 Winston commercials for 1 Tampax commercial.

Answer 6

Cigarette smoking is more directly related to lethal health effects. Where as, the deaths related to alcohol are more abuse and driving. With your kind of thinking, I guess they should ban automobile advertisements.
Be careful when crying out for censorship, you never know where it will end.
It's more important to educate people than to with hold information.

Answer 7

The thing is that moderate consumption of alcohol is actually HELPFUL to health.[1]
While ANY consumption of tobacco is harmful.
Thus -- it would be unfair to say that alcohol is harmful for your health, because that would be untrue. Only ABUSE of alcohol is harmful.

Answer 8

I smoke cigarettes and I'm fine.You would have to prove to me that smoking and drinking are bad with actual evidence.The government has no power to tell the broadcast industry what they can or can not advertise.

Answer 9

alcohol doesn't cause lung cancer but it contributes to more deaths yearly than tobacco. the answer is lobbyist. the alcohol companies spend more money lobbying Washington. it used to be trendy to be a smoker now it's trendy to be a drinker. they both suck. weed is the answer.

Answer 10

And the Surgeon General is not as concerned about booze as he is with tobacco, although both carry warning labels.