New Advertisements About The Dangers of Tobacco Use Raise Concerns Over State Efforts

New advertisements funded by the tobacco industry, mandated by a U.S. court order, began airing in November.

The ads highlight the risks associated with tobacco use and secondhand smoke. But it took 11 years to get them on air; they were mandated by the court in 2006, but it took until November for the language and format of the ads to be agreed upon.

Meanwhile, state efforts made by Massachusetts to curb tobacco use have been decreasing. While the state spent $43 million on its tobacco prevention program in 2000, it only spent $4 million in 2017.

We discuss the new ads and why Massachusetts has moved away from prevention programs.

John Carroll, professor of communications at Boston University and WBUR senior analyst. He tweets @johncarroll_bu.