WHO calls for action against tobacco ads targeting women
Source: Agencies |
May 30, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
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THE World Health Organization called on Friday for more action against tobacco advertising that targets women and girls, especially in developing countries.
Females represent the biggest potential growth market for tobacco products and are being subjected to aggressive campaigns linked to fashion, sports events and entertainment, the UN agency said.
"The industry's market strategy is having its desired impact," said Douglas Bettcher, director of WHO's tobacco free initiative. "More and more girls are starting to light up. This is a serious red flag."
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day tomorrow, WHO released its survey on youth smoking. The report said that out of 151 countries, half reported that as many teenage girls smoke as boys, and even outnumber boys in parts of Latin America, notably Chile, Colombia and Mexico, as well as in eastern Europe.
Men account for 80 percent of the world's 1 billion smokers, according to the UN agency. Among adults, 40 percent of men smoke, compared to nine percent of women.
In large emerging markets such as China and India, 60 percent of men smoke versus three to five percent of women, leaving an important market to capture, WHO officials said.
"The tobacco industry is spending heavily on seductive advertisements that target women especially in low- and middle-income countries," Bettcher said. "The advertisements try to dupe women into believing that tobacco use is associated with beauty and liberation."
Some 5 million people die every year from tobacco-related heart attacks, strokes and cancers, including 1.5 million women, according to the agency.
A WHO treaty in 2003, ratified by 160 countries, recommended imposing a complete ban on advertising and marketing of tobacco products. Only 26 countries have done so, it said.
More than US$13 billion was spent on tobacco advertising and promotion in the United States in 2005, according to the WHO.
In Japan, where rates of male smokers have sharply fallen in recent years, pink packs of cigarettes are aggressively promoted to attract girls, the agency said.
"The industry has studied what makes women tick in both the developed and developing countries," said the WHO's Adepeju Olukoya.
Females represent the biggest potential growth market for tobacco products and are being subjected to aggressive campaigns linked to fashion, sports events and entertainment, the UN agency said.
"The industry's market strategy is having its desired impact," said Douglas Bettcher, director of WHO's tobacco free initiative. "More and more girls are starting to light up. This is a serious red flag."
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day tomorrow, WHO released its survey on youth smoking. The report said that out of 151 countries, half reported that as many teenage girls smoke as boys, and even outnumber boys in parts of Latin America, notably Chile, Colombia and Mexico, as well as in eastern Europe.
Men account for 80 percent of the world's 1 billion smokers, according to the UN agency. Among adults, 40 percent of men smoke, compared to nine percent of women.
In large emerging markets such as China and India, 60 percent of men smoke versus three to five percent of women, leaving an important market to capture, WHO officials said.
"The tobacco industry is spending heavily on seductive advertisements that target women especially in low- and middle-income countries," Bettcher said. "The advertisements try to dupe women into believing that tobacco use is associated with beauty and liberation."
Some 5 million people die every year from tobacco-related heart attacks, strokes and cancers, including 1.5 million women, according to the agency.
A WHO treaty in 2003, ratified by 160 countries, recommended imposing a complete ban on advertising and marketing of tobacco products. Only 26 countries have done so, it said.
More than US$13 billion was spent on tobacco advertising and promotion in the United States in 2005, according to the WHO.
In Japan, where rates of male smokers have sharply fallen in recent years, pink packs of cigarettes are aggressively promoted to attract girls, the agency said.
"The industry has studied what makes women tick in both the developed and developing countries," said the WHO's Adepeju Olukoya.
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