Tobacco-control alliance urges manufacturers to halt cigarettes ads, sponsorships

Desy Nurhayati ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/04/2009 7:26 PM  |  National

The South East Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) has urged giant cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris International and all cigarette companies to halt all of their advertisements and sponsorships in Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries.

“We are gravely concerned that countries in the ASEAN region remain being fat cash cows for the world’s largest tobacco companies,” SEATCA Senior Policy Advisor Mary Assunta said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Monday.

“Philip Morris International (PMI) is celebrating its handsome profits, but this is very bad news for public health, as it means there will be more addicted adolescents and more diseases and deaths in the region,” she said.

“The company has a ruthless disregard for life. It continues to vigorously fight tobacco control efforts in developing countries. More profits for Philip Morris mean more deaths for us in Asia.”

There are about 125 million smokers in the ASEAN region, from which the industry milks its profits and is seeking more smokers among youngsters in the region, the alliance said.

While many countries in the region are tightening up tobacco control legislation, the industry has launched an all-out attack especially in Indonesia --the region’s largest cash cow, where 46% of ASEAN’s smokers reside, according to the group.

“For Indonesia, the smoking epidemic is a huge tragedy because about 200,000 Indonesians die every year from smoking related diseases. There are currently about 60 million smokers, half of whom will die prematurely in the coming years,” Mary said.

“An even bigger tragedy is that the tobacco industry is planning to increase smoking and tobacco sales in the country during the coming years. Hence, the industry is fighting against tobacco control effort in Indonesia viciously.”

“With 63% of Indonesian men are smokers, the country contributes generously to PMI’s profits, making the country its 4th largest market in the world.”

PMI has become the market leader capturing about 30% of Indonesia’s cigarette market share.
The increasing market was due to massive tobacco advertisings and promotions, the most massive ones among ASEAN countries.

“PMI’s claims that it does not advertise to children and that it supports regulations is a lie. Over 90% of Indonesia children have seen cigarette advertisements on television, which is the main medium of advertising used by tobacco companies,” Mary said.   

SEATCA predicted that during 2007, PMI spent about $220 million on marketing in Indonesia.

Since 78% of Indonesians start smoking before the age of 19 years, the industry is fighting against an advertising ban in a judicial review filed by The National Commission on Child Protection to the Constitutional Court.

However, the tobacco industry sought help from the Indonesian government, which then provided testimony during the court session, SEATCA said.    

The alliance said that PMI executive had even launched a vicious attack using emotional appeal threatening that millions will be unemployed if there is a ban on tobacco advertising.

In a letter to SEATCA on February this year, PMI said it supported the improvement of tobacco regulations in Indonesia and the shared objective of reducing youth smoking in Indonesia.

In the court, however, it has countered evidence that advertising and promotions might encourage children to smoke.

“This contradicts its public stance saying it does not want adolescents to smoke,” Mary said.

“As PMI celebrates its increasing profits, Indonesia’s youth do not stand a chance to protect themselves from a lifetime addiction, disease and death.

“We call on PMI and all tobacco companies in Indonesia to stop the double talk, accept the evidence and halt all advertising, sponsorship and promotional activities.”

She said that the PMI had also expressed support for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Under this treaty, Philip Morris and all tobacco companies are not allowed to advertise or sponsor activities in 164 countries.

“PMI should stop interfering in tobacco control legislation and stop obstructing efforts to protect Indonesia’s adolescents."
 

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