Tobacco industry watch
 
 

 

The tobacco industry: "Unlawful, deceptive and lethal" 
(US Supreme Court ruling) 

ASH would like to see the tobacco industry taking the same level of responsibility other businesses are expected to take for the safety and wellbeing of their consumers and the public - especially young people. Here's what they've been doing instead...

TOBACCO INDUSTRY NEWS - latest on the industry's misdeeds
TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION AND SPONSORSHIP (TAPS) - latest slick tricks and how to identify and monitor them
TOBACCO INDUSTRY MYTHS - spreading misinformation 
TOBACCO INDUSTRY BACKGROUND - past history and leading figures
TAKING ACTION - what you can do about it



TOBACCO INDUSTRY NEWS  

Read the latest on the industry's many misdeeds, recent court cases, reports, internal documents and more.

LOWLIGHTS:

  • Philip Morris and some NSW tobacco dealers tried to scuttle an out-of-sight display policy by misinforming NSW cabinet ministers.  
  • Tobacco companies suppressed research and information on the presence of deadly radioactive poison Polonium 210 in tobacco, says a study.  
  • British American Tobacco have targeted African Children with cigarettes and promotion, says a BBC documentary. 
  • The industry worked for decades to mislead and deceive smokers into thinking "light" and "mild" cigarettes were healthier.

TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION AND SPONSORSHIP 
("TAPS") 
As one door closes, the tobacco industry tries to get around or under it - or forces another one wider open. See some of the tricky new marketing and promotional manoeuvres by tobacco companies to slip past those inconvenient advertising laws.

Use this checklist to identify and monitor TAPS in your jurisdiction or area. Download it or cut and paste.

 

BUSTING TOBACCO INDUSTRY MYTHS

Tobacco companies and their allies continue to muddy the waters: undermining research, covering up, and fostering myths about smoking, secondhand smoke and popular measures to counter it. Below are some useful sites that answer these myths.     



TOBACCO INDUSTRY BACKGROUND  
History, the major companies and their market shares, and who's who.


See  "Dear David, please tell us the TRUTH about tobacco"  - our tough questions for a Philip Morris executive who addressed the National Press Club (23/3/05).

Big T, 40 Years On - has Big Tobacco really turned over a new leaf? 




TAKING ACTION: what you can do about it

Don't like being played for a sucker?  Then fight back. 
Here's what you can do... 

Rebutting the tobacco industry, winning smokefree air
November 2009: Global Smokefree Partnership 2009 status report on tobacco industry interference to hold back and undermine public health legislation. Details the industry’s worldwide tactics of fear and misinformation, vs the positive impact of governments, organisations and individuals who are taking them on - with the backing of the FCTC treaty. 

Tips for taking tobacco action

This link will help you become an ASH supporter (no cost)

You can also help us by supporting us financially - or with your time and effort…..  

 

 

 
 

Page last updated 26/2/10