Trust in tobacco industry at an all time low – Government urged to end the temptation of tobacco packson World No Tobacco Day
HEALTH campaigners are keeping pressure on the Government to reduce the appeal of cigarette packs for World No Tobacco Day (31 May).
Fresh, with Directors of Public Health, are urging Ministers to commit to plain, standardised packaging of cigarettes and tobacco to help stop nearly 9,000 North East children starting to smoke each year.
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2013 is: ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Despite not being included in the Queen’s Speech, the Government has still not ruled out introducing standardised packs, which became law in Australia on December 1.
Latest data from YouGov shows trust in the tobacco industry is at an all-time low, with only 6 per cent of people in the North East saying they trust tobacco companies to tell the truth. 63 per cent of adults surveyed in the North East also support tobacco being sold in standardised plain packaging, with only 12% opposing.
Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “Cigarette packs are one of the last remaining forms of promotion and advertising. Why else do tobacco companies make the packs so appealing, aiming them clearly as fashion accessories at young people?
“We’re urging Ministers now to commit to removing these enticing brands and protect our children.”
Doctors, MPs and council leaders have expressed anger at some of the packs now on shelves, with logos resembling perfume and Lego boxes. Last year every local authority and 129 organisations in the North East signed up support for standardised packs.
Fresh has also welcomed an announcement by the Irish government this week of its intention to become the second country worldwide to introduce plain, standardised packaging of tobacco.
While tobacco companies deny their marketing attracts children, industry documents through the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library made public over the years show the importance of the youth market to their profits. The Legacy Tobacco Documents Library (LTDL) contains more than 14 million documents (80+ million pages) created by major tobacco companies related to their advertising, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and scientific research activities.
Some famous industry quotes include:
“Evidence is now available to indicate that the 14-to-18 year old group is an increasing segment of the smoking population. RJR-T must soon establish a successful new brand in this market if our position in the industry is to be maintained over the long term.” Planned Assumptions and Forecast for the Period 1977-1986 for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company,” stamped “SECRET,” March 15, 1976.
“Realistically, if our Company is to survive and prosper, over the long term, we must get our share of the youth market. In my opinion, this will require new brands tailored to the youth market.” Claude Teague, RJR, “Research Planning Memorandum on Some Thoughts About New Brands of Cigarettes for the Youth Market,” February 2, 1973
“It is important to know as much as possible about teenage smoking patterns and attitudes. Today’s teenager is tomorrow’s potential regular customer…” – Philip Morris, 1981
“If you are really and truly not going to sell to children, you are going to be out of business in 30 years.” – Bennett LeBow, CEO of Brook Group Ltd. makers of Lark and L&M cigarettes
“Younger adult smokers are the only source of replacement smokers…If younger adults turn away from smoking, the industry must decline”. – R.J.Reynolds, February 29, 1984