Final answer:
The last U.S. television advertisement for cigarettes was banned due to the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act,(option d) following significant scientific research demonstrating the harmful effects of smoking and societal movements for health awareness, which also led to mandatory health warnings on cigarette packaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The last advertisement for cigarettes aired on U.S. television as a result of the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act. This act was part of a wider reform movement following the release of epidemiological studies in the early 1950s, which demonstrated the harmful effects of tobacco smoking. These studies included the work of Richard Doll and his colleagues, who provided clear evidence connecting smoking with various health issues, such as lung cancer.
During the 20th century, the United States saw a shift in the perception of cigarettes through both scientific evidence and changing social attitudes. Significant efforts were made to change public opinion on smoking, culminating in legislative actions to control the sale and advertisement of tobacco products. Legislation such as the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act was essential in these efforts, mandating health warnings on cigarette packaging and effectively banning cigarette advertisements on television.
An example of public health awareness manifesting in legislation is the surgeon general's warning label on cigarette boxes, which was mandated by the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, the United States was among the first countries to require such health warnings. Through aggressive marketing and shifts in social norms, cigarettes had previously been normalized within American culture, especially among working-class men. However, awareness of the dangers of smoking grew substantially following scientific research and resulted in regulatory measures.