For example, ads can portray major polluters as environmentally conscious companies that give to worthy causes. Advertising costs us money. Businesses pass many of their advertising costs on to us. Also, the price of a product increases when ads successfully cultivate the idea that a certain product can give us status or a cool image. Ads cost us more in taxes, too.
Advertising is a fully tax-deductible business expense.
Because of this, state and federal treasuries receive billions of dollars less in business taxes each year. Tax rates for citizens must make up for this, so individual taxpayers indirectly subsidize advertising. Ads can be misleading. They emphasize the benefits of products and services and ignore the drawbacks. Ads encourage a brand-name mentality, or buying on the basis of the maker rather than quality or price.