They come and they go – marketing ideas and promotions that are fun, funny, and intrigue the intended audience.

 Take Maryland’s Scratch-Off Campaign – The Double Bubble Doubler “Scratch ‘N Sniff.” Even the artwork seems fishy – a child blowing a bubble that reads, “TOP PRIZE $10,000!” On one hand, you have to be 18 to play the Maryland lottery, but on the other hand, kids seem to love the smell of bubble gum.

 So, what gives? Why create an adult game that attracts children?

 The same Double-Bubble guy is reportedly planned to show up at baseball games in Maryland, tossing out prizes.

 Historically, Maryland legislators have done their share in an effort to deter children from adult attractive nuisances and activities. Legislators are at this time considering increasing the liquor tax on flavor beers by a whopping 1,600 percent in order to deter children from consuming the sweet brews.

 Maryland House Bill 879 proposes reclassifying flavored beers as distilled spirits. The tax would be passed along to the consumers.

 The Maryland tax rate for beer is 9 cents a gallon, while distilled spirits are taxed at $1.50 a gallon.
Now a six-pack of flavored beer is taxed at a nickel, if is changed to the distilled spirit category, the tax would be 84 cents.

 Fruit flavored cigars have come under fire, too. Even way back in the day, Joe Camel was banned from Camel cigarette advertising because it was felt that the cartoon attracted too many children to the product.

 However, the question remains unanswered: Why create a game restricted to adults that attracts children? Is it possible the need for revenues – given the current economy – outweighs the need to protect our children from adult influences?