On Aug.31, the paper ran a one-third of a page ad by Turkey Hill featuring both a pitch for four brands of cigarettes, and an offer of free candy with a soft drink. The ad shows boxes of Sundance, Marlboro, Camel and Newport brand cigarettes. The "Surgeon General Warning" was too small for most to read without a magnifying glass.
WATCHDOG: We are surprised that a family publication would carry cigarette advertisements, especially one obviously directed at young people. We are also critical of Turkey Hill for sponsoring such an ad.
Does Marv Adam want his daughter Abigail reading "Cigarettes Lowest Price Allowed by Law On all major brands" above "Sweet Deal, Free Reese's with 44 oz. fountain or slushey purchase" ? Isn't there an implied relationship about the enjoyableness of the products?
Running an ad for cigarettes, especially in the family oriented Sunday News, seems irresponsible on their part to us, no matter how desperate the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is to forestall their plummeting advertising revenue.
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Watchdog, the media criticism and analysis column at Newslanc.com.
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