Landmark case sets precedent for strict enforcement of tobacco-control laws
Editor
Apr 11, 2012
A civil magistrate in Pakistan has found the head of marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan Ltd. guilty of violating Pakistan’s law that tightly restricts cigarette advertising, criticizing the executive’s excuse that he didn’t believe placing ads in magazines was the same as putting them in the "press."
The tobacco executive admitted that the company had run the ads, which included full-page, color advertising for Marlboro cigarettes in many of Pakistan’s leading magazines throughout November and December. But he claimed he didn’t realize these ads were subject to restrictions that limit their size and require pictorial warnings – because he believed the word "press" did not include magazines.
Continue reading Guilty: Philip Morris Executive in Pakistan Fined for Violating Advertising Rules
posted April 11, 2012
Smokers also seek help online after seeing hard-hitting media campaign
Editor
Apr 2, 2012
Calls to the toll-free number that provides help to smokers trying to quit more than doubled in the first week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled new anti-smoking ads, which depict former smokers coping with devastating diseases and disabilities caused by their tobacco use.
Continue reading Powerful Anti-Smoking Ads Prompt Record Calls to Quit Lines
posted April 02, 2012
Unprecedented national media campaign will save lives and money
Editor
Mar 15, 2012
Meet Terrie. She starts her day by putting on a blonde wig and affixing a hands-free device to her tracheotomy hole to help her speak. Meet Brandon, who sits at the edge of his bed to ease on his artificial limbs. And Roosevelt – he’ll show you the deep scar that runs up and down his torso, the result of heart surgery.
These former smokers are the unlikely stars of the new nationwide media campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to quit and preventing children from starting to smoke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled the ads at a Washington news conference.
Continue reading Tips from Former Smokers on Why You Should Quit – Or Never Start
posted March 15, 2012
Tobacco industry spends over a million dollars an hour on marketing that hooks kids
Editor
Mar 8, 2012
Smoking among American youth is a “pediatric epidemic” that isn’t occurring by accident: It’s directly caused by tobacco industry marketing and promotion that entices teenagers to start smoking and encourages their progression to becoming regular smokers.
Continue reading Surgeon General’s Report Shows Youth Smoking is “Not an Accident”
posted March 08, 2012
Tobacco company flouted law with magazine ads
Editor
Feb 28, 2012
The Marlboro Man has galloped into trouble in Pakistan.
A Pakistani judge has issued an arrest warrant for the head of marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan Ltd., for the company’s blatant violation of laws that tightly restrict tobacco advertisements. Despite the advertising limits, Philip Morris purchased – and magazines published – full-page, color ads for Marlboro cigarettes in many of Pakistan’s leading magazines throughout November and December.
Continue reading Wanted: Pakistan Charges Philip Morris Executive with Advertising Violations
posted February 28, 2012
Flavored cigars, free samples and hip-hop imagery target urban youth
Editor
Oct 21, 2011
A California-based company is promoting flavored cigars called "Hoodwraps" to inner-city youth, using names such as "Da Bomb Blueberry" and "Swag Berry," and even handing out free samples in downtown Indianapolis.
Trendsettah USA is marketing the cigars with "street teams" — inner-city youth recruited to give out the samples. The slogan for Hoodwraps: "So Hood. So Good." The aggressive promotion has angered local tobacco-control advocates, who note that urban youth in Indiana are more likely to begin smoking at an earlier age than the national average.
Continue reading ‘Hoodwraps’ Don’t Belong in the Neighborhood
posted October 21, 2011
Slogan tells kids: “Tobacco helps you become talented”
Editor
Sep 28, 2011
In an apparent attempt to lure young smokers, China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC) is sponsoring at least 100 elementary schools in China.
CNTC financed construction of these schools, which are named after Chinese cigarette brands and sometimes bear slogans such as "Talent comes from hard work, Tobacco helps you become talented." Many of the schools also feature the company's logo of a green tobacco leaf.
Continue reading Big Tobacco Sponsors Elementary Schools in China
posted September 28, 2011
Tobacco Company Comes Under Fire for Green Claims
Editor
Jul 27, 2011
Cigarettes kill and pollute. There's nothing healthy or environmentally friendly about them.
So it's truly outrageous that the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, owned by Reynolds American, is running magazine ads promoting its Natural American Spirit cigarettes as "eco friendly." It's called greenwashing — making deceptive environmental claims to improve the image of a controversial product or company.
Continue reading Causing lung cancer and heart disease the “eco-friendly” way
posted July 27, 2011
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