ASA Adjudication on OCB Papers (UK) Ltd

A magazine ad for cigarette rolling papers showed a stylishly dressed woman with a gold handbag containing rolling papers. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found that the ad associated smoking with a glamorous lifestyle, which was irresponsible and violated the advertising code related to cigarette rolling papers. The ASA ordered that the ad not appear again.

ASA Adjudication on OCB Papers (UK) Ltd, Complaint Ref: 94233

  • United Kingdom
  • Aug 12, 2009
  • Advertising Standards Authority
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Parties

Plaintiff Unidentified complainant

Defendant OCB Papers (UK) Ltd

Legislation Cited

Committe of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code, Rule 2.2 (Responsible advertising)

Committe of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code, Rule 55.1: 3.8 (Tobacco, rolling papers and filters)

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None

"The ASA noted the CAP Code rules covering the marketing of rolling papers and filters stated that ads should not imply that smoking was glamorous or link smoking with people who were fashionable or possessed attributes or qualities that might reasonably be expected to command admiration. We considered that the woman in the ad was dressed in a stylish and glamorous manner, as though for a party or night club, and readers were likely to infer from the image that cigarette papers and therefore smoking were part of that individual's life and recreational activities. We acknowledged that there was an element of fantasy in the image as a result of the cigarette papers apparently elevating from a handbag and drifting through the air, and recognised that readers would understand that the image was stylised and unreal. Nevertheless, we considered that the ad associated smoking and a glamorous, fashionable or sophisticated lifestyle, which was irresponsible and breached the Code in relation to the marketing of cigarette rolling papers. The ad breached CAP Code clauses 2.2 (Responsible advertising) and 55.1: 3.8 (Tobacco, rolling papers and filters)."