Are Big Brand Cigarette Makers Behind Mayor Bloomberg's Latest Loony Move?

Yesterday, I reported on NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's latest loony move, a proposal that retailers hide the cigarettes from public view.

Commenter gpond explains how this will help big brand cigarette makers:

 By lobbying to prevent cigarette advertisement the Brand leaders did two things. They cut their own costs of advertising, and they prevented any smaller competitors to come into the market by advertising the advantages (or branding) of their new products. This froze the market with the Big Boys easily able to maintain their market share (due to no advertising allowed). Hiding cigarettes from the consumer is the next logical step. If you remember you smoke Marlboro you will ask for it. You will not even be able to point at the new upstart. Brilliant.