Tobacco Industry
Research
Tobacco promotions foster increased likelihood of initiation
A study published in the June 2006 issue of Pediatrics
demonstrates that tobacco promotions foster positive attitudes,
beliefs, and expectations regarding tobacco use, increasing
subsequent intentions to use tobacco and likelihood of initiation.
View the article
for more information.
Exposure of youth to tobacco promotions intended for adults
A study in the June 2006 issue of Nicotine and Tobacco
Research investigates the extent to which youth are
exposed to marketing that is presumably limited to adults,
concluding that the adult-only exemptions in the Master
Settlement Agreement marketing restrictions are a significant
loophole that should be closed. View the abstract
for additional information.
Tobacco ads ubiquitous during sports TV programming
A researcher from the University of Texas - Arlington
sought to identify what kinds of promotion for alcohol
and tobacco products are found in televised sports programming,
as well as how frequently they occur. A content analysis
of more than 83 hours of televised sports programming
from 2000 through 2002 was conducted. Programs were
examined for traditional advertising (commercials) and
nontraditional advertising (stadium signs, announcer
voiceovers, etc.). It was found that, despite
the Master Settlement Agreement, tobacco advertising
remains prevalent in many sports. The most common sports
where tobacco and alcohol advertisements appear are auto
racing, ice hockey and boxing. A new trend of placing alcohol
and tobacco brand names in commercials for other
products is evident. Click here
to view the abstract and here
to learn more about the project.
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National
R.J. Reynolds announces $40 million plan to defeat
state ballot initiatives
R.J. Reynolds' has announced that it will spend
$40 million to defeat state ballot initiatives to increase
cigarette taxes and require smoke-free workplaces. While
releasing the company's second quarter earnings results,
which indicate that profits are at a 52-week high, R.J.
Reynolds' executives indicated that the $40 million represented
the company's share of what the tobacco industry is spending
to fight the ballot initiatives, indicating that other companies
are contributing substantial additional sums. RJR
has been leading the fight to defeat ballot initiatives
in Arizona and Ohio that require smoke-free workplaces and
public places, and it has joined other tobacco companies
in fighting initiatives in California and Missouri to increase
cigarette taxes and utilize some of the revenue to fund
tobacco prevention and cessation programs. View a
press
release from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for
additional information. Click here
to learn about the deceptive efforts of RJR in Arizona and
Ohio.
FDA urged to stop marketing of "Nic Lite" bottled
water
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Public Citizen
Health Research Group have written to the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to urge the agency to immediately stop
the marketing of "Nic Lite," a bottled water containing
significant amounts of highly addictive nicotine. Each 8-ounce
bottle of Nic Lite contains the same amount of nicotine
as two cigarettes. View the press
release, which also contains a link to the letter.
New smokeless tobacco products now being tested
Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco
are all testing a new form of smokeless tobacco. The 'spitless'
tobacco pouch targets smokers who want an alternative that
is more discrete than traditional spit tobacco when faced
with smoking restrictions. Click here to learn more about
the testing taking place in Indianapolis and here to
learn more about the testing being conducted by all three
companies.
Big tobacco's new smokescreen
The magazine New Scientist recently published an article on the tobacco
industry's tactics to encourage smokers to alter their habits rather than quit,
while portraying themselves as a changed industry. You can access the entire
article, for a fee, by clicking here.
Imperial Tobacco may enter U.S. due to decreasing legal risks
Imperial Tobacco Group CEO has stated that the
company may sell tobacco products in the U.S. for the first
time as legal risks there decline and U.K. consumption slows.
Click here
to learn more.
NASCAR edging away from tobacco industry
The end of R.J. Reynolds' sponsorship of the Winston
Cup NASCAR series has paved the way for the entry of stop-smoking
products, and has resulted in a move away from the smoking
culture within the sport. Click here
to learn more.
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Resources
Tobacco-Free Rodeo Project calendar
The Tobacco-Free Rodeo Project is encouraging tobacco
control programs to put pressure on rodeo organizers to
let them know that "Rodeos are for Families, Not Big
Tobacco!" Click here to access a petition,
and here
for a schedule of upcoming rodeo events.
Tobacco Stealth Marketing transcript
The May 10, 2006 program of Health Politics with
Dr. Mike Magee features a story on how the tobacco industry
is targeting kids and women with flavored cigarettes. Click
here
to view the video and transcript.
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