TOBACCO FIRMS ATTACK NEW BILL
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers' Council has heated up the battle for Canadians' hearts, minds and lungs by launching a national ad campaign slamming Bill C-71, the Tobacco Act. The federal government will began debating this week. The manufacturers' first ad appeared in print over the weekend. It addressed the effect that limiting tobacco advertising could have on event sponsorships. Future ads will raise concerns about freedom of expression and the issue of tobacco advertising regulation versus tobacco advertising prohibition. Marie-Josˇe Lapointe, the Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers' Council's communications director, told Adnews the campaign will also use national radio spots. The creative for the exclusively text-based ads was handled in-house by the CTMC. Media Buying Services of Toronto executed the media buy. The CTMC represents tobacco giants Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc., RJR Macdonald Inc. and Imperial Tobacco Limited.