Tobacco marketing: profiteering from children
Article Abstract:
In the 1940s, tobacco companies aimed their advertisements at adults; now, they depict cartoon animals in colors that appeal to children and claim they are still trying to interest adults. In fact, arguments that deny the obvious attempts to entice children to smoke are immoral and dangerous. The tobacco industry can only survive by recruiting new smokers who do not believe that smoking kills. These potential smokers will mainly be found among members of the developing world, children, and the disadvantaged. Several articles in the December 11, 1991 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association attest to the success of these companies in marketing to children. Popular logos include Old Joe Camel and the Kool penguin. Marlboro cowboys have long appealed to children. Restrictions against selling cigarettes to minors are rarely enforced, and the number of such laws has declined in recent years. Children lack the experience to associate the death of a loved one from emphysema or lung cancer with smoking. One study in the Journal showed that children between the ages of three and six found Old Joe Camel as captivating as Mickey Mouse. Regardless of the tobacco industry's claims that it does not seek to interest children in smoking, parents should know that exposure to cigarette advertising places their children at risk. Strict controls on advertising would be a good first step toward curbing this type of marketing, but such an approach is unlikely during the Bush administration. Representative Henry Waxman and Representative Mike Synar introduced legislation to prohibit cartoon-like imagery by advertisers, but a majority of votes was not obtained in the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. Vending machines should be prohibited, as should free samples of cigarettes. Federal laws prohibiting television cigarette advertising should be enforced; in particular, advertising during televised sporting events should stop. Cigarette advertising should be regarded in the same way as any other carrier of a deadly disease. Young people who are protected from nicotine addiction are less likely to die of smoking-related diseases as adults. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
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Cigarette advertising - United States, 1988
Article Abstract:
Even though cigarette smoking is the most significant preventable cause of death, cigarettes continue to be heavily advertised. The advertisements generally depict smokers engaging in healthy activities such as sports, and living a successful lifestyle. The cigarette manufacturers are increasingly addressing their ads to women, minorities, and blue-collar workers, who are making up a greater proportion of the US smoking population. Data concerning cigarette advertising expenditures for 1988 are presented and compared with previous years. Based on information from the six major cigarette manufacturers, spending for promotion of cigarette sales was $3.27 billion in 1988, an all-time high which represented a 27 percent increase over 1987. In the period from 1975 to 1988, cigarette advertising expenditures tripled, after adjusting for inflation. In 1988, 61 percent of the expenditures were for advertising lower tar (less than 15 milligrams) brands. Cigarette advertisements continue to occupy considerable space in the print media. Cigarettes are also the most frequently advertised product in the outdoor media (such as billboards) and are second only to automobiles in magazine ads. The public health community is considering various approaches for reducing the impact of cigarette advertising. These options include an antismoking 'counteradvertising' campaign; forcing manufacturers to eliminate all pictures of people and things in their ads, allowing only words and pictures of the product; and finally banning any and all promotion of cigarette sales. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Tobacco Control in the 21st Century: Searching for Answers in a Sea of Change
Article Abstract:
Many organizations, citizens' groups, and governmental agencies must cooperate to reduce the impact of tobacco use. This is necessary to counteract the actions of the tobacco industry, which constantly seeks to undermine any gains in tobacco control.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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