State’s Anti-Smoking Account Stays Put

The California Department of Health Services disclosed an intent to award its three-year anti-smoking advertising contract to Asher/Gould, the Los Angeles agency which currently handles the business. Last year Asher/Gould created the controversial spot called “Insurance,” which the department did not air. The spot suggests the hypocrisy of two tobacco conglomerates that operate insurance units which give discounts to nonsmokers. The department plans to spend $49 million over the three-year contract, $25 million in 1997. It spent $12 million this year.