The Disturbing Parallels Between Tobacco and Cannabis Advertising
Imagine beloved childhood characters endorsing harmful substances. Far-fetched? Not really. Back in 1961, characters like Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble unapologetically promoted cigarettes on television. Decades later, we shudder at the thought of such blatant manipulation aimed at our children. Tragically, these campaigns normalised smoking, leading millions of young people down a path of addiction and disease. By the late 1990s, public outrage and government regulation put an end to most tobacco advertising aimed at youth.
Unfortunately, our society seems to be forgetting those hard lessons. Today, similar tactics are being used to market cannabis. Bright, colourful billboards featuring cheeky taglines like “I like big buds and I cannot lie” or Santa Claus smoking a joint are plastered across communities where cannabis use has been legalised. These ads aren’t just casual—they are calculated. Cannabis companies are targeting the next generation the same way tobacco companies once did.
Risking a New Wave of Addiction
Cannabis is often presented as “less harmful” than tobacco, but this narrative fails to consider the facts. Smoking any substance—tobacco, cannabis, or otherwise—introduces harmful carcinogens, tar, and toxins into the lungs, potentially causing significant long-term damage. But the risks go far beyond the lungs.
Emerging research shows that cannabis use, especially among adolescents, interferes with brain development. Memory, attention span, and problem-solving abilities are all negatively affected. These cognitive challenges often translate into lower rates of high school completion and fewer opportunities later in life. Mental health risks are also linked to cannabis use, with increased rates of depression, psychosis, and even suicidality observed in vulnerable individuals.
Today’s Cannabis Is Far More Potent
One critical modern difference between cannabis and tobacco lies in the drug’s strength. The cannabis of the 20th century had THC levels averaging 3–5%. Today, those levels have skyrocketed, with cannabis plants engineered for THC concentrations of up to 30% and extracts nearing 100%. This potent formulation amplifies the drug’s risks, including addiction and severe mental health impacts.
For young people, who are still in critical stages of brain development, these stronger strains of cannabis pose a grave danger. This isn’t a harmless pastime. It’s a clear and present risk to their future.
How Advertising Fuels Cannabis Use
Much like tobacco adverts once did, cannabis advertisements influence young minds. A study from 2017 revealed that over half of high school students had seen cannabis ads online, with many others exposed via billboards and television. Alarmingly, exposure to just one type of cannabis advertising increased the likelihood of use by 60%.
The cannabis industry has borrowed heavily from the tobacco industry’s discredited playbook. By targeting young, impressionable audiences, they aim to build a lifetime customer base. And without stringent restrictions, these efforts are succeeding, luring the next generation into a cycle of dependency and harm.
Why Regulation Is Vital
It is currently illegal for tobacco companies to advertise on TV or billboards, sponsor sporting events, or use cartoon characters in promotional material. Yet, the cannabis industry operates with far fewer restrictions in many regions. This inconsistency is unacceptable. As one expert noted, “We should learn from the nicotine space, and I certainly would advocate that we should place similar concern on cannabis products in terms of their appealability to youth”. (Source)
If cannabis companies are allowed to continue targeting youth, we risk normalising cannabis use the way tobacco once was. The consequences will be predictable—and devastating. From increased health issues to diminished opportunities, the cost of inaction will be borne by our children and society as a whole.
A Call to Protect Future Generations
We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the growing influence of cannabis advertising on youth. The evidence is clear—exposure leads to use, and use leads to harm. By championing stricter regulations on cannabis marketing, we can prevent history from repeating itself and protect young people from falling into the trap of addiction and ill health.
The health, wellbeing, and potential of our children are not negotiable. It’s high time we learned from the past and acted to put their best interests front and centre.
Source: KevinMD.com
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