Resources - Global tobacco epidemic

Although tobacco advertising has been more and more restricted in Australia since 1976 - with print, radio and television bans - this industry keeps finding new and creative ways of getting "under the radar".

Facebook page on tobacco advertising
Set up by Sydney University School of Public Health to report many examples of tobacco industry promotion. Repository of photographic and cyberspace examples showing the tobacco industry’s efforts to undermine the FCTC treaty. See MonitoringTobaccoAdvertising

NEWS

3D video highlights tobacco's glam pitch to women
October 2010: WHO has produced a 3D video on "Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women". It spotlights the tobacco industry's use of glamour, style and sex appeal to trap women into lifetimes of addiction. See the one-minute video

Bands urged to reject tobacco sponsorship of Indonesian concert
September 2010: Top musical acts including Australian bands Wolfmother and The Vines were urged in a worldwide campaign to drop tobacco sponsorship of October 10 concert in Jakarta. A Facebook campaign urged the bands, along with overseas acts, to get Indonesian brand Gudang Garam sponsorship of the "Java Rockin' Land" event dropped. See ABC news report 22/9/10 SMH report 23/9/10 and Facebook page MonitoringTobaccoAdvertising

Ferrari drops "barcode" after discussions with Philip Morris
June 2010: The Ferrari F1 team will drop controversial "barcodes" on its cars, suspected of being subliminal Marlboro advertising. Ferrari, sponsored by Philip Morris, denies that the barcodes reference the brand - yet felt they had to consult with PM over the change. See espnf1 report 6/5/10

Preventative Health Taskforce recommends plain packaging
2009: Australia's Preventative Health Taskforce recommends moving towards mandatory plain packaging of tobacco - with bigger health warnings. See Action Area 5, pp. 181-5 of the report's tobacco chapter

Petrol stations fined $100k for tobacco promotion
2009: Operators of NSW Coles Express service stations, Eureka Operations, fined $107,000 + $50,000 court costs after being convicted of verbally promoting discount cigarettes. See ABC news report 13/8/09 Tobacco "pushing to the pushers" in ASH release 4/7/09 and pics below

"Deadly in pink": Big Tobacco's new assault on women and girls
2009: Tobacco industry launches aggressive new US marketing campaign aimed at women and girls. Coalition of public health groups' report warns that the campaign puts the health of women and girls at risk and urges new regulations to stop it. See TobaccoFreeKids media release 18/2/09 with link to report and images

Tobacco industry's tricky fashion ploy
2008: Cigarettes sold in upmarket Adelaide fashion and hair outlets to lure youth into smoking. Behind the tactic: Australia's third largest tobacco company, Imperial. The campaign was later withdrawn after protests. Pics below and report in Sunday Mail, SA 14/12/08

Lately the industry has been "pushing to the pushers" - with a range of prizes and other inducements to encourage retailers to promote brands. See ASH media release 4/7/09 and pics

In motor sport, the Ferrari Formula 1 team announced (May 2010) it would drop the controversial "barcode" logo on its cars, suspected of being subliminal Marlboro advertising. On its website, Ferrari denied that the barcode "...was intended to be a reference to a tobacco brand" - but for some reason still felt the need to consult with Philip Morris before making the change. See espnf1 report 6/5/10 And the brand logos remain on driver and pit crew outfits, making sporadic media appearances

And having (almost) gotten rid of tobacco sponsorship of Formula 1 racing in Australia, now we see MotoGP champion and former Young Australian of the Year Casey Stoner bedecked in tobacco logos, watched by millions of teens worldwide. Spool down to pics below

In pop music, the tobacco industry meanwhile continues pushing its products to young people at music events - via tents and stalls, under promotional deals with event organisers. See pics below. ASH and other health groups have called for these forms of tobacco promotion to be banned - as some states have done. See ASH / Heart Foundation media release 4/8/07 with link to recent article in Tobacco Control journal

Overseas, singer Kelly Clarkson in April 2010 dropped tobacco sponsorship of Indonesian concert after a global campaign including ASH action in Australia. See See yahoo.com report and ASH media release 23/4/10 Just like Alicia Keys did in 2008

In fashion, in a win for public health, the NSW Health Department successfully challenged Philip Morris and Wavesnet over advertising breaches targeting young women at a student fashion show. They pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $94,000. See an earlier (Melbourne) promotion is in pics below - and other recent marketing tactics that could be happening at a shop or event near you.

Big name double standards: There's a real inconsistency between stars turning out for cancer charities but smoking publicly and glamorously. See Sydney Morning Herald article by ASH director Prof Simon Chapman

As promotional laws tighten, the tobacco industry increasingly turns to its ultimate promotional tool - the packet itself - to pitch its deadly and addictive product to "new smokers", mostly children. Health policy focus is turning to how to counter package-based promotion of subtle marketing messages of glamour and success, and replace them with plain packaging and health messages that show tobacco in its true light.

Meanwhile, the tobacco industry is using "bull and bullying" tactics against a decision to mandate plain tobacco packaging by mid-2012. Latest on Plain packaging

Physicians for a Smokefree Canada webpage shows graphic warnings on cigarette packets from countries you select at the right of the page, including Australia.

Other helpful websites with info on picture-based package warnings, including showing images required by different countries: Tobacco Labelling Resource Centre
and Campaign for Effective Warnings on Cigarette Packs

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has factsheets on Warning Labels, including evidence, countering industry arguments, and worldwide examples. See factsheets

"HARM REDUCTION"

The tobacco industry has made several attempts to launch so-called "harm reduction" products to try to weaken advertising bans and further a "socially responsible" image. One example is the "Heatbar". See article by ASH Board member Prof Simon Chapman in the Sydney Morning Herald 29/8/07


	Close the "TAPS" (Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship)
	Although tobacco advertising has been more and more restricted in Australia since 1976 - with print, radio and television bans - this industry keeps finding new and creative ways of getting "under the radar". Australia has obligations under Article 13 of the worldwide Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to ban all forms of TAPS. On this page you'll find: NEWS IN SHOPS SPORT, MUSIC AND FASHION THE PACKET AS ADVERTISING "HARM REDUCTION" Pictures: see TOBACCO'S LATEST SLICK MARKETING PLOYS Facebook page on tobacco advertising Set up by Sydney University School of Public Health to report many examples of tobacco industry promotion. Repository of photographic and cyberspace examples showing the tobacco industry’s efforts to undermine the FCTC treaty. See MonitoringTobaccoAdvertising NEWS 3D video highlights tobacco's glam pitch to women October 2010: WHO has produced a 3D video on "Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women". It spotlights the tobacco industry's use of glamour, style and sex appeal to trap women into lifetimes of addiction. See the one-minute video Bands urged to reject tobacco sponsorship of Indonesian concert September 2010: Top musical acts including Australian bands Wolfmother and The Vines were urged in a worldwide campaign to drop tobacco sponsorship of October 10 concert in Jakarta. A Facebook campaign urged the bands, along with overseas acts, to get Indonesian brand Gudang Garam sponsorship of the "Java Rockin' Land" event dropped. See ABC news report 22/9/10 SMH report 23/9/10 and Facebook page MonitoringTobaccoAdvertising Ferrari drops "barcode" after discussions with Philip Morris June 2010: The Ferrari F1 team will drop controversial "barcodes" on its cars, suspected of being subliminal Marlboro advertising. Ferrari, sponsored by Philip Morris, denies that the barcodes reference the brand - yet felt they had to consult with PM over the change. See espnf1 report 6/5/10 Preventative Health Taskforce recommends plain packaging 2009: Australia's Preventative Health Taskforce recommends moving towards mandatory plain packaging of tobacco - with bigger health warnings. See Action Area 5, pp. 181-5 of the report's tobacco chapter Petrol stations fined $100k for tobacco promotion 2009: Operators of NSW Coles Express service stations, Eureka Operations, fined $107,000 + $50,000 court costs after being convicted of verbally promoting discount cigarettes. See ABC news report 13/8/09 Tobacco "pushing to the pushers" in ASH release 4/7/09 and pics below "Deadly in pink": Big Tobacco's new assault on women and girls 2009: Tobacco industry launches aggressive new US marketing campaign aimed at women and girls. Coalition of public health groups' report warns that the campaign puts the health of women and girls at risk and urges new regulations to stop it. See TobaccoFreeKids media release 18/2/09 with link to report and images Tobacco advertising and promotion is causally related to tobacco use See US National Cancer Institute's 5-year worldwide report (2008) Tobacco industry's tricky fashion ploy 2008: Cigarettes sold in upmarket Adelaide fashion and hair outlets to lure youth into smoking. Behind the tactic: Australia's third largest tobacco company, Imperial. The campaign was later withdrawn after protests. Pics below and report in Sunday Mail, SA 14/12/08 IN SHOPS Through deals with retailers, the tobacco industry maintains high visibility for its deadly products by "front of shop" displays in supermarkets and other retail outlets. See more pics of tobacco in shops - and out of sight Tobacco products are also available in many duty free outlets - including airports, so they're the first thing overseas visitors see of Australia when they get off the plane. Lately the industry has been "pushing to the pushers" - with a range of prizes and other inducements to encourage retailers to promote brands. See ASH media release 4/7/09 and pics SPORT, MUSIC AND FASHION Sporting events, fashion shows, rave parties, rock concerts, websites, trendy product handouts - these are some of the marketing tactics used recently by tobacco companies to glamourise smoking and promote their products to young people. In motor sport, the Ferrari Formula 1 team announced (May 2010) it would drop the controversial "barcode" logo on its cars, suspected of being subliminal Marlboro advertising. On its website, Ferrari denied that the barcode "...was intended to be a reference to a tobacco brand" - but for some reason still felt the need to consult with Philip Morris before making the change. See espnf1 report 6/5/10 And the brand logos remain on driver and pit crew outfits, making sporadic media appearances And having (almost) gotten rid of tobacco sponsorship of Formula 1 racing in Australia, now we see MotoGP champion and former Young Australian of the Year Casey Stoner bedecked in tobacco logos, watched by millions of teens worldwide. Spool down to pics below In pop music, the tobacco industry meanwhile continues pushing its products to young people at music events - via tents and stalls, under promotional deals with event organisers. See pics below. ASH and other health groups have called for these forms of tobacco promotion to be banned - as some states have done. See ASH / Heart Foundation media release 4/8/07 with link to recent article in Tobacco Control journal Overseas, singer Kelly Clarkson in April 2010 dropped tobacco sponsorship of Indonesian concert after a global campaign including ASH action in Australia. See See yahoo.com report and ASH media release 23/4/10 Just like Alicia Keys did in 2008 In fashion, in a win for public health, the NSW Health Department successfully challenged Philip Morris and Wavesnet over advertising breaches targeting young women at a student fashion show. They pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $94,000. See an earlier (Melbourne) promotion is in pics below - and other recent marketing tactics that could be happening at a shop or event near you. Big name double standards: There's a real inconsistency between stars turning out for cancer charities but smoking publicly and glamorously. See Sydney Morning Herald article by ASH director Prof Simon Chapman The Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act is under review and this is an opportunity to seek an end to all forms of tobacco advertising and promotions. Meanwhile, if you know of a suspected breach of the laws on tobacco advertising, contact ASH and we can advise you on the best steps to take. THE PACKET AS ADVERTISING *See (and report) latest packaging tricks at ASH Pack Watch* As promotional laws tighten, the tobacco industry increasingly turns to its ultimate promotional tool - the packet itself - to pitch its deadly and addictive product to "new smokers", mostly children. Health policy focus is turning to how to counter package-based promotion of subtle marketing messages of glamour and success, and replace them with plain packaging and health messages that show tobacco in its true light. Meanwhile, the tobacco industry is using "bull and bullying" tactics against a decision to mandate plain tobacco packaging by mid-2012. Latest on Plain packaging Packet health warnings WORLD Canada increases packet warnings September 2011: Canada has approved bigger graphic health warnings on tobacco packs by June 2012. The move will put graphic warnings on 75% of both front and back of packs - putting Canada briefly ahead of Australia in size of health warnings until Australia's plain packaging law comes into effect by July 2012. American Broadcasting Corp report 29/9/11 Canadian warnings and factsheet US introduces new pack warnings June 2011: U.S. Food and Drug Administration on 21/6/11 announced final 9 picture-based warnings to appear on top 50% of front and back of cigarette packs. Warnings include toll-free quitline number. From 22/9/12, manufacturers must include the new warnings, which must be on all distributed products by 22/10/12. See FDA site with new warnings Australia will soon have largest warnings Current Australian legislation (spool to p. 58- for sample pics) and latest on Plain packaging June 2011: Australia will increase size of picture warnings to 75% of front and 90% of back of tobacco packs from 2012 as part of its plain packaging law. Australia will then have overall world's largest pack health warnings, with average of 82.5% of front and back. With Canada's warnings also about to rise (below), new leading world rankings from July 2012 would be (average of front and back): 82.5% Australia (75% front, 90% back) from July 1, 2012 awaiting Senate passage 80% Uruguay (80% front, 80% back) 75% Canada (75% front, 75% back) from June 2012 65% Mauritius (60% front, 70% back) 65% Mexico (30% front, 100% back) World report shows 39 countries with graphic warnings 2010: International report on cigarette package health warnings released in Uruguay at meeting of Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP-4). Canadian Cancer Society's Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report gives an international overview ranking 175 countries/jurisdictions based on warning size. Uruguay's warnings are largest, covering at least 80% of front and back - compared with Australia's 30% front and 60% back. At least 32 countries have larger warnings that Australia. See report More at www.tobaccolabels.org and WHO health warnings database See the Uruguay warnings (click on "Presentacion") They work! 2009: World report on warning labels from ITC Collaboration's 19 countries finds graphic pictorial warnings: (a) more noticeable and dominant than text warnings, (b) heighten awareness of smoking harms, (c) encourage quitting. See the report Factors in effectiveness Size: Increasing size of health warnings increases effectiveness, as recognised in FCTC Guidelines - Article 11, Packaging and Labelling. See FCTC guidelines Rotation: Old warnings need to be replaced/refreshed regularly. European study (2003) Resources Physicians for a Smokefree Canada webpage shows graphic warnings on cigarette packets from countries you select at the right of the page, including Australia. Other helpful websites with info on picture-based package warnings, including showing images required by different countries: Tobacco Labelling Resource Centre and Campaign for Effective Warnings on Cigarette Packs Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has factsheets on Warning Labels, including evidence, countering industry arguments, and worldwide examples. See factsheets AUSTRALIA Australia has largest warnings in the world Current Australian legislation (spool to p. 58- for sample pics) February 2012: The Australian Government in December 2011 introduced a new standard to updates and expand graphic packet health warnings. They must now cover 75% of the front and 90% of the back of packs (for cigarettes; slightly different for other packaging formats). A new set of 14 warnings for cigarette packs and new warnings for other tobacco products, including single sale cigars, are also included. Tobacco manufacturers and importers can choose between the old and new warnings until 1 December 2012, when all packs must have the updated warnings as well as complying with the plain packaging requirements. Australia will have overall the largest pack health warnings in the world, with an average of 82.5% of front and back. More above under WORLD Preventative Health Taskforce recommends larger warnings 2009: The Preventative Health Taskforce recommended to the Australian government that the size of health warnings on Australian tobacco packets be substantially increased. See pp. 184-5 of the report's tobacco chapter Current health warnings, including graphics and messages, at government site. These were long delayed and reduced by tobacco industry lobbying. See ASH release 26/8/04 Australian health warnings effective 2009: Australian Dept of Health report on Australia's pack warnings says they've improved awareness, discouraged uptake and encouraged quitting. See report But many smokers still don't spontaneously identify major disease risks, and many wrongly believe the dangers are exaggerated. See Quit release 19/1/09 RESEARCH See extensive research backing the warnings and plain packaging Australia, US, UK, Canada: Packet warnings influence quitting 2009: Noticing and reacting to health warnings on cigarette packets has significant impact on quit attempts, says four-country survey from Cancer Council Victoria in Addiction journal. See study abstract Latest studies of effectiveness Major evaluations of the impact of graphic warning labels: - 2009 world report on warning labels from ITC Collaboration's 19 countries finds graphic pictorial warnings: (a) more noticeable and dominant than text warnings, (b) heighten awareness of smoking harms, (c) encourage quitting. See the report - 2007 Text and Graphic Warnings on Cigarette Packages: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Study online "HARM REDUCTION" The tobacco industry has made several attempts to launch so-called "harm reduction" products to try to weaken advertising bans and further a "socially responsible" image. One example is the "Heatbar". See article by ASH Board member Prof Simon Chapman in the Sydney Morning Herald 29/8/07 Page last updated 1/2/12