Anti-tobacco groups say widespread industry ads hook kids on smoking
Here's a news release sent today from Kevin J. Keenan, coordinator of Smoke Free NOW. One of the group's goals is to have "Tobacco Free Grocery" in Genesee County.
The tobacco industry currently spends more than $12.8 billion to promote their products throughout the United States. This includes payments to licensed tobacco retailers to put their products in the most visible locations inside the store.
As a result, New York State residents, including people under 18, are exposed to a substantial amount of tobacco marketing.
According to Smoke Free NOW, a recent survey of retailers selling tobacco products in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties, found an average of 15 to 18 ads promoting those products in the stores. That range is in keeping with tobacco retailers' ad displays nationwide.
Other facts about the tobacco industry:
- In 2006, tobacco companies spent $12.5 billion nationally on advertising, promotions, and price discounts for wholesalers and retailers. That is more than the amount spent to market junk food, soda and alcohol combined: junk
food and soda companies spent $4.65 billion, and alcohol companies spent $3.13 billion (2005). - In New York State, the tobacco industry spends approximately $1.1 million per day to market its products.
- Almost every licensed tobacco retailer displays tobacco product advertising, with an average of 18 ads per store.
- Tobacco companies place most of their advertising where young people
shop — in convenience stores, where 75 percent of teenagers shop at least once a week.
The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids maintains that such point-of-purchase advertising and promotion directly influences what products and brands kids buy and use.
More alarmingly, point-of-purchase advertising and promotions may have a direct impact not only on what brands of cigarettes kids buy, but also on the number of kids who buy cigarettes.
In New York State, there are too many kids getting hooked on tobacco; in large part due to the influence of tobacco marketing. It’s time to understand the real story, says Smoke Free NOW.
For more information, contact www.TobaccoFreeGrocery.org or call 585-815-1875.
