Public service advertising doing kids a disservice

The war on cigarettes, one of the most popular political causes of the last ten years, has used everything to stop people -- minors, in particular -- from smoking. There have been class action lawsuits, the eradication of figures like Joe Camel, and even forcing tobacco companies to run commercials denouncing smoking.

The advertisements are particularly disturbing.

Phillip Morris runs commercials with groups of teenagers talking about how cool it is to not smoke. Lorillard takes a different approach, using a young man whose stereo and guitar burn away like a cigarette, to discuss the costs of smoking.

The problem is not the commercials' messages, but Phillip Morris and Lorillard taking credit for running the anti-smoking ads.

Tobacco companies skirt regulations this way and get market recognition disguised as a public service. And they are supposed to look bad because of these commercials.

Elected officials in every level of government who ride the tobacco-is-evil rodeo bull are also responsible.

Yes, the tobacco industry sells a product which has no nutritional or medicinal value and causes hundreds of health problems, but it is also a major lobbyist and campaign contributor. Knowing that political money is never getting something for nothing, politicians are expected to give a little bit back.

The best way is to "punish" the companies by making them run self-condemning ads to deter kids from smoking. However, Phillip Morris and Lorillard clearly take credit for their smoking prevention programs, and legally use the airwaves to advertise their companies at the same time.

Phillip Morris and Lorillard should run the anti-smoking ads. The public can do its part by purchasing Phillip Morris and Lorillard tobacco products to keep the ads running.

Now that is a public service.

Chris Ledermuller is the opinion editor for the Summer 49er.