MURAD KISSES CIGARETTE ADS GOODBYE
By Adnews Staff
Murad Communications of Toronto is butting out as of Jan. 1, 1997. As of that time the outdoor company says it will no longer allow cigarette advertising to appear on its wall spaces and mini-billboards. After a one-year trial period, company president Michael Chesney Òhas decided that even though the sweet aroma of the tobacco industry green is as smooth as a Havana cigar, the aftertaste is as stale as a tray full oÕ butts. Quite simply a moral issue, tobacco is far too addictive and harmful to promote just for the sake of profit,Ó he says in a release. Currently, Murad maintains one wall in Toronto and over fifty variety store signs across the country for tobacco advertising. These contracts close on Dec. 31. Chesney also believes that it is only a matter of time before there is a complete ban on tobacco promotion. Currently, there is a bill before the House of Commons which would ban all tobacco advertising except in magazines geared to adults. Event sponsorships will still be allowed, but with more restrictions