Those commercials drive me nuts. Self-righteous, self-important, smug with a ham-handed, yet weak gag/punchline. I'm surprised Michael Moore didn't write them.
I always wondered about the smoking at school thing. Tobacco laws are enacted at the state level in this country, and I know that, at least in New York state, right before I got up to Idaho, we were allowed to buy smokes, and the staff at the children's home would keep a supply as well for the kids in the houses. I don't ever remember my friends having to be sneaky about buying cigs, and our group ranged from about ages 14-17, so I don't think there was any underage smoking ban at that time in NY.
I honestly don't know what the situation was in Idaho regarding tobacco sales to minors, but I'm willing to bet the farm that when the entire school suddenly went no-smoking, that was when the no sales to minors law went into effect. (I think that was 88.)
I couldn't find anything online about dates of tobacco laws per state when it came to sale and distribution to minors, though. That would have made things easier.