According to date released by the Federal Trade Commission, as of 2003, tobacco companies spent an estimated $200.4 million on marketing in Mississippi alone - a 127% increase since Mississippi settled with the industry in 1997. That is $200.4 million dedicated to getting out messages promotion tobacco products!
The tobacco industry maintains "prevention" advertising of its own. However, countless studies have shown these campaigns to be ineffective at best, and counter-productive at worst. Tobacco industry "prevention" advertising typically goes against every bit of research that would produce a successful counter-marketing campaign. Tobacco company "prevention" ads paint smoking as an adult activity, making it even more appealing to naturally rebellious teenagers.
Prior to funding cuts, to combat this, The Partnership maintained two highly successful counter-marketing campaigns, FREE and RAT (Reject All Tobacco)
