Viacom, CBS, WarnerMedia to pull e-cigarette ads from TV

Brett Molina

USA TODAY

Published 9:29 PM EDT Sep 18, 2019

CBS, WarnerMedia and Viacom have said they will no longer run advertisements for e-cigarettes on their networks following an outbreak of illnesses and deaths linked to vaping. 

A CBS spokesperson confirmed with USA TODAY it will not take any e-cigarette advertising on the network moving forward. In a statement to CNBC, WarnerMedia said it’s dropping e-cigarette ads from TNT and TBS. 

A WarnerMedia spokesperson wasn’t immediately available. 

Last week, fellow WarnerMedia network CNN told The Daily Beast it was also dropping e-cigarette ads. 

“Given warnings from the CDC, the AMA and the American Lung Association to consumers, our company has revised its policies regarding e-cigarette advertising, and will no longer accept advertising for this category,” WarnerMedia spokeswoman Jennifer Toner told CNBC in a statement.

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Viacom’s change of policies has already begun.

“After reviewing the recent reports regarding the potentially serious health threats posed by e-cigarettes, Viacom has revised its policies regarding e-cigarette advertising, and will no longer air ads in this category effective immediately,” Viacom said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating more than 450 cases of a lung disease believed to be linked to vaping products. At least six deaths have been attributed to the disease.

Last week, President Donald Trump said he will seek to ban the sale of flavored vape products to discourage e-cigarette use. “It’s causing a lot of problems and we’re going to have to do something about it,” Trump said.

Earlier this month, Michigan became the first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes, citing health concerns related to vaping.  

Contributing: Kelly Tyko

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

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