The huge mutated monstrosity that is the advertising is my biggest beef with capitalism. Imstead of investing money into something useful (or reducing output and working hours), it is being poured into advertising. Just to manipulate you to buy more stuff, that you don't really need.
At least they greatly reduced ad spaces in Moscow, and I think Moscow underground somehow turned into ad free zone. Weird, right? :-)
I do not think this is weird. I think Russia can do this easier, most countries are so indebted or controlled by conglomerates that they can't do much anyway.
BUT the consumer needs more protection...we are not cows.