What makes the tobacco industry different from other industries?
There is a strong body of evidence from authoritative bodies demonstrating how tobacco is inherently deadly. Unlike any other consumer product, it cannot be used without risk.
Key facts
- Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit.
- Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
- Around 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.
To keep making billions of dollars in revenues, the tobacco industry needs to replace the millions of customers who die and those who quit tobacco use every year. To achieve this goal, it works to create an environment that promotes uptake of its products among the next generation, including lax regulation to ensure its products are available and affordable. The industry also develops products and advertising tactics that appeal to children and adolescents, reaching them through social media and streaming platforms.
Despite what they say, tobacco companies are not trying to create a healthier world. An industry that is serious about saving lives would stop production of deadly products and stop fighting against effective tobacco control policies.
The tobacco industry has used its economic power, lobbying and marketing machinery, and manipulation of the media to discredit scientific research and influence governments to propagate the sale and distribution of its deadly product.
Learn more about the tobacco industry tactics to interfere with public health policy see STOP- Global Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) @ https://ggtc.world/. Also consider entering a Global Media Competition for a chance to win $5,000. Create a short video reel, in less than 45 seconds, on one of these topics: 1. Tobacco industry’s marketing tactics; 2. Tobacco industry’s harmful impact; or 3. How your country’s tobacco control law protects children. For details, see https://bit.ly/GMCggtcwho or contact tobaccofreepalau@gmail.com. Submission deadline is May 20, 2024.