Tobacco companies violated advertising restriction

Abstract

EDITOR,--Despite its being a specific target in the Health of the Nation strategy, the prevalence of smoking among teenagers has risen in the past two years.1 Three years ago the chief economic adviser to the Department of Health concluded that tobacco advertising increased tobacco consumption.2 The government's response was to renegotiate the voluntary agreement limiting the advertising and promotion of tobacco.3 Assessment of whether advertisements “play on the susceptibilities of … the young and immature” or “incite people to start smoking”3 is difficult, but compliance …