Why is cigarette advertising on TV and radio banned but not alcohol?

[Got rings this millennium?]

I understand that alcohol is not harmful in moderation, but alcohol definitely causes more deaths and social problems than cigarettes. Why don't we either ban both or allow both?

[Whitman Lam]

Several reasons:

1. Alcohol is more widely consumed than cigarettes. Almost every American drinks at least occasionally.

2. Cigarettes are sold to teenagers 18 and over, whereas alcohol can only be served (In most states) to people 21 and over. Teenagers are considered the most vulnerable to advertising. Though the difference is only 2 years.

3. Lawsuits against tobacco companies are much more successful than lawsuits against alcohol manufacturers. Long story short, extensive research has proven that tobacco will kill and is addictive. Alcohol is only dangerous when consumed in large quantities.

4. Both are purchased by consenting adults, but alcohol impairs judgement, whereas tobacco is hopelessly addictive. Which is worse ?

[Christopher]

To add to what Whitman said, I have but one question: Have you ever heard of somebody dying from being secondhand DRUNK??? I don't think so!!!

[VoiceofCommonSense]

Because non smokers love to get drunk.

[Trifixxion]

I think the reason is that a lot of the ads for tobacco companies had things that kids find "cool" like joe camel that dudes awesome. Or, the marlboro man. To these idiots that say secondhand smoke kills people its bull****. Drinking is just as addictive as smoking but the fact remains that its because of joe camel and ads of the same sort that made kids look at smoking to be cool. Not to mention that like one of the others said drinking is done by pretty much everyone at some time or another and there will always be those whiners that parade against smokers.

[zealouscreature566]

Alcohol is safe in moderation. Cigarettes are not safe in moderation.

Drinking in moderation near someone else causes that other person no harm. Smoking in moderation near someone else causes that other person harm.

Edit: it is not bull**** that second-hand smoke kills. Only raving lunatics and those desperate to defend their right to cruelly and viciously harm others think that. Every study of secondhand smoke damage funded by independent researchers has determined that secondhand smoke is as dangerous as firsthand smoke. Only the studies funded by the tobacco industry have disagreed.

Anyone who thinks that secondhand smoke is not dangerous is either extremely, extremely stupid or a cruel psychopath who cares more about defending his "right" to harm others than he does about defending others from his addiction. No exception.

[chefowen21]

Another answer is that the alcohol lobby in DC is a strong and powerful lobby. Most Congress people have a drink or 5, but a lot have stopped smoking. The tobacco companies have other markets in Asia and Europe that are welcoming American tobacco products.

Also, it is taking a long time for people to associate the damage alcohol can do to you. Alcoholism, liver damage, other health concerns, and drunk driving. If the media got on alcohol as they did on tobacco we would probably see a change in legislation and policy. Plus others are correct in saying that smoking has NO favorable consequences if you smoke with the exception that a study was done claiming that people who smoked were less likely to develop Alzheimer's, but I think the jury is still out on that one. While I'm not a fan of government telling me what I can and cannot do, I can't trust most people to make decisions that require consideration of others when smoking, so I welcome the ban on advertising etc. After reading all the questions about how much alcohol it takes to get drunk, and how fast can I get drunk, and which liquor is quicker, maybe we should take a look at some legislation in this area.

[Karaoke Preacher]

I don't know completely, but I do know that CAMELS cigarette used to advertise that 9 out of 10 DOCTORS preferred CAMELS!.. It was on the CAMELS cigarette Show starring Abbot and Costello.

I