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Tobacco Industry News
Research
The "We Card" program: Tobacco industry "youth smoking prevention" as industry self-preservation
A study examining the “We Card” program, a youth smoking prevention program designed by the tobacco industry, has found that the program was created for the purposes of improving the industry’s image and reducing regulation and enforcement of tobacco sales. Researchers analyzed tobacco industry documents to determine how the program was developed and to identify the tobacco industry’s goals and motives in implementing the program. They found that there was little evidence of the effectiveness of the program despite its widespread use, and that the industry’s main goals were not youth prevention but improving their corporate image and promoting self-regulation. The authors warn that such industry self-regulation should not be accepted by lawmakers, as it is ineffective and works to the industry’s benefit. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health.
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Reports
New resources available from the Buck Tobacco Sponsorship Project (CA)
Although the 2009 Tobacco Control Act (FDA law) has increased tobacco marketing restrictions, it still allows certain types of tobacco sponsorship and sampling. The Buck Tobacco Sponsorship Project has produced several new resources to support tobacco control advocates working to address tobacco sponsorship and the distribution of tobacco samples in a rapidly changing environment. Tobacco Giveaways in California is a new, expanded report on tobacco sampling in California. A brief Fact Sheet on Tobacco Sponsorship of Rodeos is designed to educate decision makers about new policies to restrict tobacco sponsorship. A Resource Packet Checklist includes items that may be useful to provide to decision makers considering policies to restrict tobacco sampling or sponsorship. Click here to visit the Buck Tobacco website.
Reynolds American to shut 2 plants, cut about 60 jobs (NC, PR)
Reynolds American Inc. has announced plans to close factories in North Carolina and Puerto Rico due to declining tobacco sales, resulting in the loss of 60 jobs at the Puerto Rico facility. Production from the older factories will be moved to the company’s largest facility in Tobaccoville, North Carolina in an effort to consolidate to newer factories. Reynolds is also expanding its subsidiary American Snuff Co., which produces smokeless tobacco products, in order to capitalize on the growth in smokeless tobacco consumption. Click here to read more.
Clemson awarded $360,000 by Philip Morris International (SC)
Clemson University will receive $360,000 for a two-year tobacco research project. The research will address a variety of topics, such as variety trials, weed control, new tobacco curing methods, and energy conservation, with the ultimate goal of lowering costs for tobacco growers. South Carolina ranks fifth in the nation in total acreage devoted to tobacco growing. Click here to read more.
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