A study has stated that websites like YouTube might be used by the tobacco industry to get around a ban on advertising cigarettes.

A number of pre-tobacco videos were found by researchers in New Zealand after studying a video-sharing site. This was indirect marketing by these companies.

The researchers have stated that an attempt should be made by the government to regulate such content.

There have been denials about using the net for promoting cigarettes by tobacco companies.

Researchers stated that without being at significant risk of being implicated in violating any laws or advertising codes, tobacco companies stand to benefit greatly from the marketing potential of Web 2.0.

Amanda Sandford, research manager at anti-smoking group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) said, “The study's findings were disturbing but fairly typical of tobacco industry activity. As soon as one avenue of promotion is closed, companies will seek out alternative means of promoting their product.”

These attempts show that young people are their key audience. Government is supposed to tighten its noose around this.

British American Tobacco spokesperson stated that using social networking sites is not their policy to promote tobacco product brands.

In 2002 a voluntary agreement to restrict direct advertising on websites was signed up by several tobacco firms.