In the current mass
marketing environment, marketing firms cannot market cigarettes or e-cigarettes
(vapes). However, there are whole segments of companies who can market their
products, including pharmaceutical products, alcohol, high saturated fat foods,
performance automobiles, and investment opportunities via mass media and
directly to consumers. This said, we
find it ethical to state that in 1971, cigarette commercials were banned to
help keep consumers safe (Hamilton, 1972), when other products that tend to be
just as dangerous can mass market to everyone. Pharmaceutical companies are all
over the media, and a lot of older people have the possibility to be hurt by
some of these advertising campaigns. Many people may be ill-informed and watch
these advertisements, call their doctor, and request a medication that may
conflict with one of their current medicine prescriptions.
In addition to this, there are many organizations
currently doing business that may be just as harmful to consumers as
tobacco. Again, there are many people
who may watch financial investment firm’s advertisements and invest their
money. Fast-food corporations have done some serious revamping of their food
offerings in the last two decades (Adams, 2018), but the changes won't stop
there. Many fast-food corporations have committed to reducing the calories,
added sugar, sodium and saturated fat in some orders, or have added health
options. Also, many alcohol companies have come up with a drink responsibly
campaign to provide a show of care for consumers.
This paper intends to look at what needs to change in
Marketing, and what can be done to keep consumers safe from all types of
products, like tobacco, but not from others like alcohol, high saturated fat
foods, and other products that have no advertising regulations. Also, with the
advent of social media, are there requirements that need to be put in place to
monitor this whole new arena for advertisers?
The authors of this paper look at products that may hurt the public and
question if things need to change. In addition, we look at if this change needs
to start with marking companies, the government, or within marketing education.
