The Law Should Completely Ban Cigarette Advertising

2015-03-23 07:32:54 Source: People's Court Daily

The debate over whether tobacco advertising should be completely banned is essentially a discussion of whether health or profit should take precedence. It is hoped that tobacco advertising will be completely banned in this revision, leaving no loopholes.

Recently, a media survey of 2,243 people showed that 55.5% of respondents believe that the advertising law should completely ban tobacco advertising, and 71.0% are dissatisfied with the current state of tobacco control in society.

It is reported that the National People's Congress has conducted two rounds of review on the draft amendment to the advertising law. The recently published second draft basically adopts "strict restrictions," allowing tobacco advertising to be published within retail points of tobacco products. Tobacco control experts believe this leaves a loophole for cigarette advertising.

It is understood that there is a clear controversy over whether the amendment to the advertising law should be a "complete ban" or "strict restrictions." The National Health and Family Planning Commission stated that according to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship should be completely banned. Another voice argues that currently, "strict restrictions" on tobacco advertising should be chosen, as a "complete ban" would harm the interests of over 3 million tobacco farmers, more than 600,000 tobacco industry workers, and over 5.4 million tobacco product retailers.

The debate over whether tobacco advertising should be completely banned is essentially a discussion of whether health or profit should take precedence. Clearly, "strict restrictions" are aimed at protecting the huge profits of the tobacco industry. The harm of tobacco to public health is an undeniable fact, yet it is also one of the most profitable industries today and a major contributor to government revenue, even becoming a pillar industry in some regions. Completely banning tobacco advertising would inevitably sacrifice the enormous interests of the tobacco industry, hence the strong opposition.

However, allowing loopholes for cigarette advertising would have significant negative effects. Firstly, it would damage international responsibilities and national image. China is one of the signatories of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has two main responsibilities: one is to implement a complete smoking ban in indoor public places; the other is to completely ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. Currently, most signatory countries have generally achieved the "two bans," yet over a decade has passed, and China has not only failed to implement a smoking ban in indoor public places but is also hesitating on completely banning tobacco advertising.

Secondly, it may lead to the failure of tobacco advertising restrictions. Currently, there are over 5.4 million tobacco retail points nationwide, and tobacco companies are treating these points as the last advertising territory. If cigarette advertising is not completely banned and loopholes are left, it will be difficult to control the infiltration of tobacco advertising.

The revision of the advertising law is still under discussion and has not yet been finally voted on by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. I hope that tobacco advertising can be completely banned in this revision, leaving no loopholes.