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| Continued Indirect and Surrogate Promotion by Tobacco Industry - The Wolf in the Lamb Skin |
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| Session |
Tobacco Industry Monitoring II (15 Papers)
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| Date |
Tuesday, 10th March
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| Presenting Author |
Hemant Goswami
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| Author(s) |
Hemant Goswami
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| Country |
INDIA |
Abstract Body |
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| Background: Framework Convention on Tobacco Control as well as the Indian tobacco control legislation prohibits all forms of direct and indirect advertisement and promotion of tobacco products since 2004. However the tobacco industry (Both small and big corporate) has mastered the art of indirect and surrogate promotion in India. Objectives: To understand the strategies and methods used to promote tobacco products in India which is a growing market with increasing disposable income and economic aspirations. Methods: Qualitative analysis and evaluation of all the existing advertisement was undertaken over a period of one year. The form and manner of advertisement was observed and the patterns were identified from the point of view of marketing and trade penetration desired by the tobacco industry. Results: It was found that even after the ban on all direct and indirect tobacco advertisement bans, the tobacco industry continues to circumvent the legal provisions and keeps on finding innovative ways to reach youngsters, females and its other target segments. The industry acts in a proactive manner (to its interest) and is always willing to test the limits of legal action. Conclusions: The industry is using the weakness of the tobacco control laws to its advantage and is increasing the level of association of its various products with articles to indirectly promote its products. There is a clear long term strategy by the industry. The enforcement and proactive action by the tobacco control forces is lacking. |
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