Free Advertising in Press & Journal?

Online newspaper the Press & Journal today carried a full length feature article on 'setfreefromsmoking', complete with contact details and charges. There is no warning to alert readers to the promotional nature of this article.



The article starts by saying that only one-third of those resolving to give up smoking succeeded - even the Department of Health claims only 15 per cent after one year.



By any standards, this is an advertising feature. It includes advice to quitters; and a lecture on the potential damage of smoking in the workplace, including its part in causing workplace fires — all persuasive stuff, much of it aimed at what it refers to as 'corporate clients'.

If no advertising revenue changed hands, the Press & Journal has missed a trick.