Jacob Sullum

About the author: Jacob Sullum is a senior editor of Reason, a monthly libertarian magazine. br> He is also the author of< For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health, from which this viewpoint is adapted.

Many researchers, antismoking activists, and public health advocates contend that tobacco advertising should be restricted or banned because it encourages people—particularly teenagers—to take up smoking. Yet there is no conclusive proof that people smoke because of exposure to cigarette ads and tobacco promotional items. Although ads may have an effect on an individual's cigarette brand preference, advertising does not necessarily convince people to start smoking. Banning tobacco advertising in an effort to reduce teen smoking would be nothing more than censorship. Curbing underage smoking is ultimately the responsibility of...