Following
the ban of cigarette advertising from television in 1965 and subsequent
implementation of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act in 2003, most
forms of tobacco advertising and promotion is now illegal in the UK and many
other countries. In many cases this follows successful public health campaigns
to persuade governments of the need for legislation to end the promotion
of one of the deadliest consumer products.
Prior to tobacco advertising being banned by law, tobacco companies in the
UK spent millions of pounds every year promoting tobacco products. This
reached a peak in the early 1990s when expenditure was around £100
million a year. During the period September 2001 to August 2002,
tobacco advertising expenditure in the UK amounted to £25 million,
excluding sponsorship and indirect advertising. The companies spent £11
million on press advertising; £13.2 million on outdoor (billboards); £714,550
on radio advertising; and £106,253 on direct mail.
In addition there was considerable expenditure on promotional offers,
shop-front and point of sale advertising, and brand-stretching which
led to the appearance of tobacco brand logos on clothing and accessories.
Under the terms of the UK Act, tobacco advertising in the print media and
on billboards was prohibited from 14 February 2003, and direct mail and other
promotions had to stop by 14 May 2003. Regulations on brand sharing
(indirect advertising) came into force in 2003 and point of sale advertising
regulations entered into force on 21 December 2004. Under this Act advertising
at the point of sale is limited to a single advertisement not exceeding A5
size, i.e. a surface area of 21 x 15cm. 1
Pub water jugs, most commonly used as branding opportunities for whisky and
cigarette companies are now on a steady decline and face extinction due to
these tobacco advertising ban, an increase in ‘style bars’ that
threaten the existence of the traditional public house and associated paraphernalia.
NORD have taken this opportunity to celebrate the traditional pub jug as
an object of desire following the stripping of the brand and have created
a series of limited edition water jugs as the beginning of a future collection.
1 ACNielsen
MMS Ltd. October, 2002
