ReferenceGoogle Ads disapproval
Tobacco
Google disapproves ads for tobacco products, parts of tobacco products, and products or services that enable or promote tobacco use. Rolling papers, pipes, hookah lounges and cigar bars are named, and so are products that imitate smoking, such as e-cigarettes. The page states no exceptions. Edit the ad to remove the product or service, or remove the ad.
At a glance
- Where it shows
- The Status column on the Ads & assets page, as Disapproved under this policy.
- What stops
- The flagged ad or asset stops serving.
- How serious
- Warning first. Google says it issues a warning at least 7 days before any account suspension.
- How long
- Google says re-review typically takes 24 to 48 hours after an edit.
What it means
The policy reaches a business in three ways: the tobacco product, parts of a tobacco product, and any product or service that directly enables or promotes tobacco use. The page lists cigarettes, cigars, snus, chewing tobacco, rolling tobacco and pipe tobacco as products, and rolling papers, pipes and tobacco filters as parts.
It also covers products designed to imitate smoking, with e-cigarettes and herbal cigarettes named as examples. The page states no exceptions, so a business that sells both tobacco and other products has to check every ad against the list.
What actually triggers it
Rolling papers, pipes and filters
Parts of tobacco products are covered in their own right. Rolling papers, pipes and tobacco filters are named, so an ad for them can be disapproved even without tobacco in it.
Hookah lounges and cigar bars
Services that promote tobacco use are covered. Hookah lounges and cigar bars are named as examples, so an ad for a venue built around smoking falls under the rule.
E-cigarettes and herbal cigarettes
Products designed to imitate tobacco smoking are covered, and the page names e-cigarettes and herbal cigarettes as examples.
Fix it in this order
- Open Ads & assets from the Campaigns menu, and list each ad or asset that shows this policy.
- Check the ad text and the landing page for the named products and services. The rule covers the promotion as well as the product.
- Hover over the ad or asset, select Edit, remove the named product or service, and select Save.
- Remove the ad if it cannot be made compliant. The page says removal helps prevent future suspension for repeated violations.
Google re-reviews the edited ad, and the result shows in the Status column. The page says typical review takes 24 to 48 hours.
When to appeal
Appeal when you believe the ad does not break the policy, for example because the product is not one the page names. Google says to appeal from the account.
If the ad cannot be changed to comply, the page's answer is to remove it. An appeal does not change the product.
Often confused with
Pipes appear under this policy and under the recreational drugs policy, as smoking accessories. The reason on the status shows which one the ad was checked against.