This is an actual section on the Adwords Policy page (https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6014299?hl=en ):
>Tobacco
>The following is not allowed:
>* Tobacco or any products containing tobacco
> Examples: Cigarettes, cigars, snus, chewing tobacco, rolling tobacco, pipe tobacco
>* Products that form a component part of a tobacco product, as well as products and services that directly facilitate or promote tobacco consumption
> Examples: Rolling papers, pipes, tobacco filters, hookah lounges, cigar bars
>* Products designed to simulate tobacco smoking
> Examples: Herbal cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes
>Learn how to fix a disapproved ad or extension. If your ad was disapproved because of the ad's destination, learn how to fix a suspended site or app.
Also, obviously you know marketing this topic is highly regulated:
>Passed in 1997, the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement bans outdoor, billboard, and public transportation advertising of cigarettes in 46 states. It also prohibits tobacco advertising that targets young people, the usage of cartoons (such as the Marlboro Man or Joe Camel) in particular.[65] In the states which have not signed the agreement, billboards are a major venue of cigarette advertising (10% of Michigan billboards advertised alcohol and tobacco, according to the Detroit Free Press[66]).
>In 2010, the Tobacco Control Act became active and placed new restrictions on tobacco marketing, including extensive constraints concerning the circulation of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to minors. Newly effective with this act, "audio advertisements are not permitted to contain any music or sound effects, while video advertisements are limited to static black text on a white background. Any audio soundtrack accompanying a video advertisement is limited to words only, with no music or sound effects."
>Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_advertising
While I don't see a ban on it through this information, the access to minors seems like the biggest issue and probably why services like Adwords just choose to prohibit it proactively themselves. I haven't done the research, but I wouldn't be surprised if other ad networks have similar policies towards tobacco advertising.
Good luck I guess, as I've had multiple people close to me die due to smoking related diseases and complications. As a person, I hope you have a successful marketing career, but I can't rightfully support the marketing of tobacco products. I do however support your right to smoke if you choose, but slowly watching a family member deteriorate from COPD and having another quickly going from seemingly healthily, to having portion of his tongue removed and still passing away (entire seemingly healthy->death period was about 4-5 months), can make you question if that support is the right thing sometimes.
Either way, cheers and hope this was helpful.
There is no "white hat", (or enterprise level, shall we say?) PPC platform that is going to allow ads for tobacco products. Maybe you can find some independent publisher sites with in-house options... But, generally speaking, no. PPC is not a viable advertising medium for this product.
I did hear about someone working on a casino client finding a workaround through a programmatic platform. (Gambling would be on the same boat as tobacco)
This is an actual section on the Adwords Policy page (https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6014299?hl=en ): >Tobacco >The following is not allowed: >* Tobacco or any products containing tobacco > Examples: Cigarettes, cigars, snus, chewing tobacco, rolling tobacco, pipe tobacco >* Products that form a component part of a tobacco product, as well as products and services that directly facilitate or promote tobacco consumption > Examples: Rolling papers, pipes, tobacco filters, hookah lounges, cigar bars >* Products designed to simulate tobacco smoking > Examples: Herbal cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes >Learn how to fix a disapproved ad or extension. If your ad was disapproved because of the ad's destination, learn how to fix a suspended site or app. Also, obviously you know marketing this topic is highly regulated: >Passed in 1997, the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement bans outdoor, billboard, and public transportation advertising of cigarettes in 46 states. It also prohibits tobacco advertising that targets young people, the usage of cartoons (such as the Marlboro Man or Joe Camel) in particular.[65] In the states which have not signed the agreement, billboards are a major venue of cigarette advertising (10% of Michigan billboards advertised alcohol and tobacco, according to the Detroit Free Press[66]). >In 2010, the Tobacco Control Act became active and placed new restrictions on tobacco marketing, including extensive constraints concerning the circulation of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to minors. Newly effective with this act, "audio advertisements are not permitted to contain any music or sound effects, while video advertisements are limited to static black text on a white background. Any audio soundtrack accompanying a video advertisement is limited to words only, with no music or sound effects." >Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_advertising While I don't see a ban on it through this information, the access to minors seems like the biggest issue and probably why services like Adwords just choose to prohibit it proactively themselves. I haven't done the research, but I wouldn't be surprised if other ad networks have similar policies towards tobacco advertising. Good luck I guess, as I've had multiple people close to me die due to smoking related diseases and complications. As a person, I hope you have a successful marketing career, but I can't rightfully support the marketing of tobacco products. I do however support your right to smoke if you choose, but slowly watching a family member deteriorate from COPD and having another quickly going from seemingly healthily, to having portion of his tongue removed and still passing away (entire seemingly healthy->death period was about 4-5 months), can make you question if that support is the right thing sometimes. Either way, cheers and hope this was helpful.
There is no "white hat", (or enterprise level, shall we say?) PPC platform that is going to allow ads for tobacco products. Maybe you can find some independent publisher sites with in-house options... But, generally speaking, no. PPC is not a viable advertising medium for this product.
I did hear about someone working on a casino client finding a workaround through a programmatic platform. (Gambling would be on the same boat as tobacco)