Why Should Tobacco Advertising Be Banned

Tobacco has been proven to be a carcinogen, which is a cancer causing agent. Decades ago governments were burdened with the task of deciding how and what to do about this very profitable and taxable business. If there were not financial gains by governments to be had from the manufacture and sale of this product, there would have been no problem deciding to shut the few expansive companies down the world over. Unfortunately, this became a conflict of interest when governments had to decide over profits, or lives saved. This was a moral decision.
February 6th, 2001. The government of India decided to tell the Tobacco Companies that it would be banning them from advertising their products as well as sponsoring sporting events and various other cultural events. This set of a landslide of rebuttal from advertisers and Tobacco Companies alike. Some stated it was simply too fast of a reaction by the government and it had simply not been thought through ("Ban on Tobacco Ads by the Government of India," 2001, para. 1).
The Government of India knew on one hand it was the most dangerous consumer product known, which killed when used as the manufacturer intended. Therefore, from an ethical standpoint, the Government had to discourage the habit, as it was responsible for the welfare of its citizens. On the other hand, …show more content…
Imposing the bans seamed worthless as advertisements uplinked from other countries still included ads from cigarette corporations. Marlboro being a Formula One sponsor was deep into the motorsport with many young minors as followers. These races could be viewed all over the world simply by being uplinked from another country. Analysts felt this could strain the Indian industry. Further putting them into a disadvantage. The tobacco companies were largely the main contributors of the states Exchequer. Without them the government would become low on funds