MORE ACTION OPPOSING SMOKING BILL
By Adnews Staff
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Canada launched a national transit shelter and billboard campaign this week calling for amendments to the Tobacco Act, Bill C-71. The new act, which went to Parliament late last year, places new restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. In addition to outdoor advertising, the OAAC is also conducting direct mail and trade advertising to urge the ad industry to help fight Bill C-71. The ads were handled in-house by the OAAC. Ron Hutchinson, president of Urban Outdoor Trans Ad, said in a release that the association agrees with the government's intention to protect the health of young Canadians, but adds there is no research linking advertising and tobacco consumption. Hutchinson told Adnews manufacturers need to advertise to protect such things as brand influence. Hutchinson said he is pleased about reports saying the government is preparing to soften its anti-tobacco bill. He believes the government's change of heart occurred because it realized no other companies would step in to sponsor arts and sporting events to the extent that tobacco manufacturers currently do.