Disadvantages of Surrogate Advertisements
1. Deceptive Nature: By endorsing one product while trying to boost sales of a regulated one, surrogate advertising undermines customer trust by misleading them.
2. Undermining the Goal of Regulation: The practice reduces the efficacy of policies intended to protect public health by enabling businesses to get around the purpose of restrictions.
3. Adverse Social Effects: Surrogate advertising can have a detrimental social influence by subtly endorsing items that may be dangerous, particularly when it comes to products that pose health risks.
4. Moral Issues: The technique could make customers feel tricked or misled, which raises ethical questions regarding openness and truth in advertising.
5. Aiming for Vulnerable Groups: Vulnerable groups, like children, may be disproportionately affected by surrogate advertising since they are more likely to be indirectly promoted age-restricted products.