Notice the flavours and product design

An example of a product that participates in unethical marketing is E-Cigarettes.  Better known as electronic cigarettes they are battery operated nicotine inhalers that are currently increasing in popularity, especially among the younger demographic.  According to Huffington Post this new form of cigarette is expected to bring in $1.7 billion in U.S sales this year.

Not only have studies found E-Cigarettes to be unhealthy, but Big tobacco companies have also marketed their product towards younger people by manipulating loopholes in current legislation.

Firstly, unlike other tobacco products E-Cigarettes can be sold to minors in many states in the US.  Luckily, in Canada the sale of E-Cigarettes to minors was banned in 2009.  Unfortunately, minors are still able to purchase the product online legally.

Secondly, cigarette companies are directly marketing E-Cigarettes to kids.  An example of this is their product flavours.  I was able to find vanilla, cherry, strawberry and cookies and cream milkshake flavoured E-Cigarettes.

Finally, laws regulating cigarette ads do not yet apply to E-Cigarettes.  As E-Cigarettes are not legally classified as cigarettes they are allowed to air commercials on TV.  Big Tobacco companies are making use of this as industry advertising increased to 20.8 million in 2012 compared to 2.7 million in 2010.

In my opinion the actions of the E-Cigarette industry has been unethical.  I believe that the E-Cigarettes could be successful with its ability to market itself to current smokers as E-Cigarettes are able to be smoked indoors, could lead to greater savings to current consumers and also could be healthier than regular cigarettes.  Instead in order to increase their bottom line, big tobacco companies have elected to cease their opportunity with the current lack of regulations in order to further target young adults in hopes of enthralling them in the tobacco industry.