John Berlau

In the following viewpoint, John Berlau argues that regulations on tobacco advertising are unnecessary and counterproductive. Advertising does not compel people to smoke, he maintains, so regulations will not reduce the number of new smokers. According to Berlau, the increase in teen smoking in recent years has not been caused by advertising but by the same factors that have led to an increase in illegal drug use. Berlau believes that regulations actually benefit tobacco companies because they serve to limit competition between brands. Berlau was formerly a political analyst at Consumer Alert and is currently a regular contributor to Insight, a weekly newsmagazine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why does the author believe state and federal government agencies are being hypocritical in their attacks on tobacco companies?
2. Why did tobacco industries favor legislation that...