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ASH Daily News
24 October 2002



HEADLINES

WHO slams youth smoking ‘deceit’
Legal threat not so passive anymore
Warning: beware of stealth tactics



FULL TEXT



WHO slams youth smoking ‘deceit’

The world's leading health organisations are calling on tobacco firms to
halt their youth smoking prevention (YSP) activity because they have failed
to produce evidence such campaigns work.

The International Union Against Cancer, International Union Against
Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and World Heart Federation will today
(Wednesday) issue an open letter to cigarette manufacturers condemning their
messages that purport to dissuade young people from smoking.

Led by the World Health Organisation (WHO), they will accuse tobacco firms
such as Philip Morris and British American Tobacco of "deceit" because they
only back anti-smoking measures "known not to work", while opposing powerful
mechanisms such as advertising bans and rises in taxation.

WHO director-general Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland is quoted in the letter as
saying: "While tobacco companies fund and develop their own information
campaigns to inform young people that smoking is an 'adult choice', studies
show that, at best, these campaigns have no effect to reduce or prevent
youth smoking. In some cases they may actually encourage young people to
smoke."

Dr Brundtland’s comments are echoed by UK pressure group Action on Smoking
and Health, which argues that the media tobacco firms use for YSP messages
are not as sophisticated as the marketing tools - such as Formula One
sponsorship - they use to promote smoking.

ASH Press release: http://www.ash.org.uk/html/press/021023.html
Source: Marketing, 24 October 2002




Legal threat not so passive anymore


Licensees in the UK face a growing threat of legal action by their staff
over passive smoking following a test case in Canada.

A Canadian waitress was awarded compensation this month after being exposed
to cigarette smoke at work - and there are fears that the case may prompt
bar staff to follow her example.

Heather Crowe, who worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, in restaurants,
bars and hotels for 40 years, had been diagnosed with lung cancer and given
a year to live.

Her court win has been described as a landmark decision and, although the
exact amount of compensation has yet to be decided, it is believed that it
will be a substantial payout.

Marsha Williams of ASH said the case proved the need for pub operators and
licensees to rethink their stance on smoking. She said: “This is a shocking
reminder of just what exposure to passive smoke can do to you. It would be
no surprise at all if thousands of bar workers in this country are left
concerned or downright scared by this news. Employers in this country have
been allowed to shirk their responsibilities to protect their staff from
passive smoke for too long.

Earlier in the month ASH revealed that despite evidence showing passive
smoke to be a killer, 3m employees still work in premises where smoking is
allowed throughout.

Ms. Williams urged pub, bar and restaurant staff to fight more for their
rights and called on the government to introduce a complete ban on smoking
in the workplace, including pubs.

Source: Publican, 21 October 2002



Warning: beware of stealth tactics

ASH has warned the government not to allow tobacco companies to switch their
advertising budgets into stealth marketing following the ban on traditional
advertising due to come into effect later this year.

Amanda Sanford, research manager at ASH said: “There is a very real danger
that tobacco manufacturers will continue to market through back door
tactics - providing financial support for websites that covertly promote
smoking for instance.”

ASH warns that tobacco companies are searching for ways to exploit any
potential loopholes. ASH has in the past unveiled stealth tactics employed
by the industry - British American Tobacco invested £2.5m into citygobo.com,
a website guide to clubs, bars and restaurants. This would not be banned
under the current legislation, as long as there was no advertising for
cigarette brands on it.

But Tim Lords, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association
says: “The industry will absolutely comply with legislation. None of our
members will do something that is illegal.”

Source: Marketing Week, 24 October 2002





Naj Dehlavi
Action on Smoking and Health
102 Clifton Street
London EC2A 4HW
http://www.ash.org.uk