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. Below is what they've been doing instead... but first,

WHO ARE THEY?    
Their products kill 5 million a year - so who are these people? Not just the three big companies but also their many stakeholders and supporters

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 INTERFERENCE IN PUBLIC POLICY - and how to stop it
TOBACCO INDUSTRY MYTHS - spreading misinformation 
TOBACCO INDUSTRY BACKGROUND - past history and leading figures
TAKING ACTION - what you can do about it
PACK WATCH




TOBACCO INDUSTRY NEWS  

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

  • misinforming governments and the public 
  • hiding health harm
  • duping smokers with false suggestions of "safer" products
  • using marketing strategies known to be attractive to children
  • using front groups and associated entities  

 

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.

TOBACCO ADVERTISING WATCH
Tobacco advertising is not dead -
there are many loopholes.  Use this  checklist  to identify and monitor tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) in your area. You can also share any new examples of TAPS by uploading them onto this global  Facebook page 

 

TOBACCO INDUSTRY INTERFERENCE IN PUBLIC POLICY
The industry has a long history of interfering in public health policy - blocking, weakening, delaying and undermining measures to reduce smoking.  Under  Article 5.3  of the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Australia has an obligation at all levels of government to end this interference.   See 
WHO report 2009

 

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.





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
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 28/4/10