School children around the world are being exposed on a daily basis to cigarette advertising and promotions by a tobacco industry that needs to recruit the young to maintain its vast profits.
A major investigation in more than 22 countries across four continents by campaigners and experts has found cigarettes on sale close to school gates and advertising which normalises smoking. Stalls and shops full of vibrantly colourful branding sell single cigarettes at pocket money prices alongside sweets and candies.
Marlboro cigarettes made by Philip Morris and British American Tobacco brands such as Pall Mall, Kent, Dunhill and Lucky Strike were being sold and promoted within 300 meters (984ft) or closer to schools in nearly all the countries researchers examined in a series of studies.
Brands made by Japan Tobacco and Imperial were seen near schools in a smaller number.
In Peru, Guardian correspondents corroborating the findings saw single sticks apparently for sale in corner shops near schools in flavours attractive to children, such as mint, lemon, berry, grape, cinnamon or combinations. In Indonesia they saw banner ads above stalls near a primary school and were told that tobacco company reps visit with free cigarettes and new promotional material every few months. In Delhi, India, they saw single cigarettes and tiny sachets of chewing tobacco for sale alongside sweets directly opposite school gates.
Big Tobacco denies promoting its products to children; Philip Morris International (PMI) said it does not market to children anywhere in the world and British American Tobacco (BAT) said it has strict rules against targeting children.
But experts stress the harm. “The evidence is sufficient to conclude that advertising and promotional activities by the tobacco companies cause the onset and continuation of smoking among adolescents and young adults,” said the US Surgeon General’s report in 2014.
For more read the full of article at The Guardian
