Tobacco companies have responded to the popular laws that ban smoking in public places by selling smokeless products that can be used in no-smoking settings. They use ad slogans such as “Anytime. Anywhere” and “No Smoking, No Problem” to target smokers who crave nicotine while they are in smoke-free places. Free samples and coupons are also offered to encourage people to try these new products. But without smokeless products, these smokers might be motivated to quit smoking completely.
The tobacco industry is also promoting the idea that switching to smokeless products is a good way to quit smoking. These claims are implied rather than stated outright, to avoid having these products regulated as drugs.
There is no proof that smokeless tobacco products can actually help smokers quit. But there are proven treatments for tobacco addiction, such as nicotine replacement products, antidepressants, nicotine receptor blockers, and behavioral therapies. These standard treatments have been carefully tested and have been proven to help people quit smoking.
Laws that affect tobacco marketing
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act went into effect in October 2009. This law gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) power to regulate tobacco products in the US. One of the goals of the law is to restrict the marketing and advertising of tobacco products – including smokeless tobacco products. Colorful ads and store displays are no longer be permitted. Only black and white text ads are allowed. And as of 2010, all outdoor tobacco ads within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds are illegal.
Under the law, new smokeless tobacco and other products claiming to have lower health risks have to be approved by the FDA. Such claims are only allowed if makers can show that the product would not encourage many non-smokers or would-be quitters to try them, rather than not using tobacco at all.
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