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Smoke and mirrors: How big tobacco companies hide cigarette ads in plain sight - pt. 1
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New technique: Big tobacco companies have turned to social media influencers to post pictures of cigarettes as a new, soft-style advertising technique. (Unsplash/Julia Engel) (Unsplash/Julia Engel)
U
sing social media and influencers, cigarette companies have found an effective way to hawk their products without obviously advertising. This is the first part of a two-part story.
Abdur Arsyad posed for an Instagram photo, staring at his laptop with a pack of cigarettes, a fresh drink and a clean ashtray beside it.
He then began writing the caption for the shot to be posted on his Instagram account @abdurarsyad.
“I’m in love with writing. When I find fresh and inspiring writing, I will read it repeatedly, adoring the ideas and words behind the work,” wrote the stand-up comedian on Jan. 23, 2020.
Five days later, Abdur uploaded an Instagram story.
“Relaxing and reading a book, thinking about bright ideas and imagining them being performed on stage. That is an enjoyable and low-cost activity.”
This time he uploaded a picture of him with a pack of cigarettes and a dirty ashtray. The cigarette pack was of the same brand as before. His followers might not have realized that this was actually part of a new, soft-style cigarette advertising technique that promoted particular brands through the social media presence of famed artists, celebrities and top-tier influencers.
