Cigarettes on the internet: a new frontier for Big Tobacco
ASH release: Embargo 00:01Monday 10th December 2001
Cigarettes on the internet:a new frontier for Big Tobacco
New studies published today in the BMJ specialist journalTobacco Control [1] argue that the internet is becoming the next frontier fortobacco marketing - a virtual place where tobacco companies can escape realtaxes that discourage smoking and real regulations that prevent sales to youngpeople.
Clive Bates, Director of ASH - Action on Smoking and Healthsaid:
"One great strength of the internet is that it is freeand stateless. The problem is that when that is used to sell cigarettes,people are going to die. "
"The internet is a new frontier for tobacco companies,they want to be in there selling and promoting the product and it's the easiestway they can get straight into the bedroom of a teenager.
"The government banned advertising of cigarettes ontelevision in 1965" said Bates "what's so special about the internetthat we can't have tobacco advertising and sales banned on the web?"
But ASH also cautioned would-be purchasers of cigarettes onthe internet. Earlier this year ASH conducted test purchases on the internetand found that it was a rip-off [2].
Clive Bates said:
"Most of the sites simply didn't send any product atall, though they walked away with our credit card details. For most ofthe rest, the Post Office just charged us the full duty and the cigarettesworked out much more expensive than the shop round the corner from our office.
"It's basically a mugs' game, at least for now. But who knows how it will evolve in the future? Governments should actnow to nip this in the bud, but ministers are so bewitched by e-commerce thatthey are unlikely to lift a finger to do anything about this until it hasbecome a crisis."
ASH also highlighted a covert internet site run by BritishAmerican Tobacco - www.citygobo.com . The site does not disclose anylink to the tobacco company or smoking, but promotes venues such as cafes, barsand clubs. These venues all have heavy BAT promotions for brands likeLucky Strike and 555. ASH has responded with a counter site
[1] Tobacco Control2001;10:364-367 ( Winter ) Tobacco commerce on the internet: a threat tocomprehensive tobacco control Available at
[2] See ASH report and press release
Contact: Sunday 9th Monday / 10th December
Clive Bates: 077 6879 1237 (mobile) 020 7739 5902 (office)ISDN available
