U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 5

WASHINGTON, April 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

MONDAY, APRIL 5: CIGARETTE ADS BANNED

Profile America — Monday, April 5th.  There was a major change in broadcast advertising this month in 1970 — as President Nixon signed a bill into law  prohibiting cigarette advertising on the nation's airwaves.  The ban went into effect on January 1st of the following year — the first major step in the ongoing debate over the public health risk of smoking.  Until then, names such as Lucky Strike, Chesterfield and Philip Morris had sponsored some of the most famous shows since the earliest days of broadcasting.  The percentage of Americans who smoke has gradually diminished

in recent years.  Currently, just under 20 percent of the population smokes — 21.3 percent of men and 18.4 percent of women.  Profile America is presented by the U.S. Census Bureau, reminding you — take part in the 2010 Census and put your census form in the mail.

Sources: History.com, This Day in History

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 200

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau