Is Youtube Selling You Something?
by Fatima Rodrigues
It's popular knowledge that tobacco companies are banned from directly advertising their products, that's why we no longer see commercials of the Marlboro cowboy galloping ruggedly across the frontier or print ads featuring pin-up style sultry women and likable cartoon camels all gripping a cigarette between their lips. However, this apparently has slowed down but not stopped tobacco companies from spreading the word about their products.
Where there's a will, there's a way, right? Well tobacco companies have begun to look for the indirect way to hit the youthful demographic through strategies such as themed nights at "hip clubs" and promotions at parties, bars, and music festivals. Recently, suspicions have been raised that these companies may have caught on to the new web revolution that is Youtube and begun stealthily advertising on this youth-friendly website. Several case studies have shown that smoking imagery is "prolific" on the site and experts are suggesting that similar tobacco-control initiatives as those taken in the case of television and print media be explored regarding this new communications medium. However, it seems that the question really is, whether this is a purposeful manipulation of the tobacco companies or just a societal coincidence and, if so, what will happen with companies begin to catch on?
