Canada’s Top Court Rules On Tobacco Ad Law
Posted June 28, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tobacco ads. Do they do more harm than good? It’s a controversial topic that’s been around for years but there never seems to be a clear-cut answer. The latest in the matter: the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a law restricting tobacco advertising. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll see fewer ads.
“This unanimous judgment is an important victory for public health,” responds Rob Cunningham of the Canadian Cancer Society. But the ruling doesn’t seem strict enough for anti-smoking activists, who want the government to impose an all out ban.
For the last 10 years, as the case wound its way through the courts, tobacco companies all but stopped advertising for fear of prosecution. Now, they say some types of commercials will be back.
“There is a window of legitimate advertising of this legal product to adult consumers,” said Simon Potter, one of the lawyers representing Imperial Tobacco. “You will not see billboard advertising, you will not see television advertising, you may see advertising in adult-only locations or advertising in mailings to adults, things like that.”
The 1997 legislation that was upheld Thursday says tobacco companies cannot advertise to young people, associate smoking with a desirable lifestyle, or sponsor any cultural or sports events.
The government says it will consult anti-tobacco groups to modernize the decade old act and monitor pitches to make sure tobacco companies obey the law. “We will be reviewing the act. if there are loopholes, we will close them,” said Health Minister Tony Clement.
