There's a very popular notion floating around about 'politics', that it's about controversies, divisive personal beliefs, and values not everyone shares, and important decisions that have to be made collectively based on those, i.e. 'big issues'. It why some people have silly rules like the F.O.R.D. technique (family, occupation, recreation, dreams) for small talk with strangers or on a first date, and you're advised against talking about P.E.A.R.S. (Politics, Exes/Economics, Abortion, Religion and Sex). They should probably should add money. An apple ad on tv, or your newspaper grocery flyer isn't a 'big issue' like, I don't know, ISIS. But here's the crux about
if it's not 'political'
How do you tell? Sadly things don't come with a 'political' label. If you think 'political' is just a synonym for 'controversial', then it will greatly depend. Consider ads for the following products and how 'political' they are...
Most people consider the first harmless, while the last is very 'political' for some. Where do you draw a line? Do you draw a line?
Consider cigarettes in a little more detail, r.e. personal and public health. Maybe you or someone you know started smoking because of ads featuring doctors recommendations like this one, and only found out later it was unhealthy and greatly increased the risk of cancer. Isn't that fraud or malpractice? How about finding the costs of health care increased with more smokers requiring care. Non smokers then have to pay for smokers poor choices. Is that fair? Should someone decide what health services are available to another and it's price, besides their doctor? Are those not all 'political' issues?