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To Smoke Or Not To Smoke? Either Way There Will Always Be Tobacco

Executive Summary

The aim of this report was to analyze a series of countries, including Canada, China, France, United Kingdom, and United States with the intention of viewing how each country perceives tobacco. The analysis of the each country’s view on tobacco was completed using a combination of both quantitative and qualitative research. The analysis produced a range of different perceptions on the issue, including distinctly different laws and regulations between countries; it was possible to gather a general consensus of each nation’s view on tobacco.
The initial analysis of tobacco perception was conducted under the lenses of statistical information, articles, laws and regulations, and advertisements. These statistics include detailed tobacco consumption figures, and worldly usage rates in different markets. At its peak in the 1950’s, tobacco was enormously profitable and selling at an all-time high. But health issues soon tarnished tobacco’s image, and brought upon a stream of anti-smoking legislation over the next 50 years. The public fear of smoking culminated in the United States in 1998 with the Master Settlement Agreement. This outlawed any advertisement targeted to youths, as well as outlawed ads in stadiums or at sporting events. In 2000 alone, the US per capita rate dropped to 1,551 cigarettes, compared to the astounding 2,905 cigarettes in 1976.
Progressive actions towards removing tobacco advertising also are taking place in Canada, UK, and France. These governments have weighed the health and business factors and acted against the tobacco industry. In light of its health implications, many countries have begun shifting from lenient to more stringent laws concerning tobacco use. The laws and regulations in this report relate to tobacco advertisements, as well as laws encompassing tobacco outside the realm of advertisements. For example, In 2008, both France and the UK became smoke-free in public places. Furthermore, all public...