Originally Posted by
torquemax777 
Oh I am definitely a "we are all responsible for our own choices" and I get sick of our society blaming everything on everybody else, but why have the commercials with people who suffered the Consequence's of smoking then? And there are laws now prohibiting cigarette ads on TV and maybe even magazines, and if someone is smoking on a TV drama or movie, it's not usually or frequently the main topic of the scene. Why can't the media downplay drinking in the way they do smoking? And even show the dire consequences that can result from OVER indulgence of b alcohol? The people who don't overindulge won't have to worry, but it may be a stern warning to those who are treading in to deeper and deeper waters with their drinking? And for Pete's sake, don't show blacking out and drunken sex as being a cool and sexy thing!
Those ads are a part of a federal ruling against tobacco companies. The ruling states the companies must place those ads because they "misled" the public about the dangers of smoking. The FDA also sponsors ads. I think the FDA does it to cover their butts as they too covered up how bad cigs are for people.
Anyway, there is a new lawsuit by the tobacco companies who state that those ads are misleading consumers by implying the companies were wrong to not disclose the health risks. The companies want the ads to clearly state those ads are part of the first ruling, not due to the companies' negligence.
MADD sponsors TV ads during the holidays and our state (SC) has DUI ads (b/c the rate here was sky high).
You have to have a financial interest to place anti-drinking ads. Budweiser has a new fall TV ad with a man and a dog that implies if you drink and drive, you might not make it home. The ad is kind of creepy.