Ethics in Advertising

In recent years, increased attention has been given to ethics in advertising and product information. Because of controversies surrounding the potential misinterpretation of words and phrases such as light, reduced calorie, diet, and low fat, food producers are now required to use a standardized format for listing ingredients on product packages.

Another issue concerns advertising that some consumers consider morally objectionable. Examples include advertising for products such as underwear, condoms, alcohol, tobacco products, and firearms. Laws regulate some of this advertising, for example, tobacco can no longer be promoted in television commercials but can be featured in print ads in magazine.