WHO Targets Tobacco Advertisers

In the run up to a world no tobacco day on Monday May 31 the WHO have launched a campaign to clamp down on advertisers they say are targeting the female world demographic.

In a news briefing Douglas Bettcher (director of WHO’s tobacco free initiative) is quoted as say  “The industry’s market strategy is having its desired impact,” and “More and more girls are starting to light up. This is a serious red flag.”

Specifically refering to targeted marketing campaigns linked to fashion, entertainment and of all things sports events.

For the last 7 years WHO have been trying to actively enforce a complete ban on smoking advertising. In 2003 160 countries agreed to their recommendations and as yet only 26 have done so.

WHO claim that tobacco companies are deliberately targetting female customers in low to middle income countries by associating smoking with beauty and liberation.

Tobacco giants Philip Morris International said that they do not market to children or use any imagery that might appeal to minors. They do however believe that there is a balance to be achieved between limiting tobacco product marketing and the ability of tobacco manufacturers to reach their target adult market.

After all this is a product market that spends almost $13 billion on marketing alone and in many countries whilst their governments actively discourage smoking they are happy to acceppt the massive amounts of duty and taxation that it generates for them.