Effective Feb. 14, tobacco advertising was banned in Britain, ending an annual spend of $35 million on publicizing cigarettes, cigars and other smoking activities. The ban extends to print, billboard, sampling, coupons, unsolicited direct mail and most online advertisements, according to the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act of 2002. Promotions will be allowed only at point of sale.
British health secretary Alan Millburn ushered in the act by unveiling a new billboard in South London: “Tobacco advertising — we can live without it. Don’t give up giving it up.”
