The Tobacco Industry

Tobacco companies are unlike any other business: their industry is built on addiction and lies and their core product, the cigarette, kills when used as intended. For decades – and continuing today – they have:

• Marketed their harmful and addictive products to children and other vulnerable groups.
• Deceived the public about the devastating consequences of tobacco use.
• Fought proven measures that reduce tobacco use and save lives.
• Posed as responsible corporate citizens while spreading death and disease worldwide.

Today, big tobacco companies are running massive PR campaigns claiming to support a smoke-free future. Their actions show otherwise:

• While claiming they want to reduce the harm caused by cigarettes, tobacco companies aggressively market cigarettes worldwide and fight evidence-based tobacco control policies.
• As cigarette sales decline, tobacco companies are pushing new, highly addictive products like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products. Companies claim these products are intended for adult smokers, but market them to attract young people – using kid-friendly flavors, music and sports tie-ins, social media campaigns and other tactics.

Their goal hasn’t changed: addict new customers, sell more product, increase profits.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids exposes and counters the tobacco industry’s harmful practices and fights industry efforts to block effective tobacco control policies.

We call on governments worldwide to stand up to the tobacco industry and implement policies proven to reduce tobacco use and save lives. Recognizing the unique nature of this industry, an international treaty – the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – obligates countries to protect public health policies from the tobacco industry’s harmful influence.