Retail Advertising Magazines Smoking In Movies Sponsorships Promotions Retail Advertising Tobacco companies have greatly intensified their marketing efforts in stores. These efforts are intended to increase demand, ensure an ever-present supply of product for the addicted customer and entice new customers. Stores in New York State have an average of 17 tobacco ads displayed. In Community Tobacco Surveys, over 72% of the respondents from the four counties indicated that tobacco advertising should never be allowed or only allowed with restrictions. Many stores receive payment and/or discounts in exchange for prime placement of product and signage. In-store marketing of cigarettes increases smokers’ daily consumption by cueing smokers to light up, reduces current smokers’ resolve to quit and encourages former smokers to resume smoking. $2.5 million dollars are spent each day in New York State to advertise tobacco products with almost 80% of this resource directed into the retail environment. “They’re right at the point of purchase…at the moment of consumer decision…This helps sustain sales…” - Investor Business Daily newspaper, 9/18/06
	In–store advertising of tobacco products: Entices children and young people to begin smoking Portrays smoking as normative, even desirable Is more prevalent in convenience stores, a frequent shopping destination for teens       "Think About It" 75% of teenagers shop at convenient stores at least once a week and are routinely exposed to retail tobacco advertising Children are almost twice as likely than adults (53% versus 28%) to notice and to remember the tobacco advertising Youth are more likely to attempt to purchase cigarettes from stores that display tobacco advertising $15.5 billion: Amount spent by tobacco companies in 2003 on US marketing, 21% more than in 2002       What You Can Do If you see tobacco ads near candy or snacks, ask that the ads be removed If you see exterior ads near schools or playgrounds, ask that the ads be removed If you are bothered by large amounts of tobacco ads in or around your local stores, let your elected officials know Send a message to Big Tobacco - Please fill out our form to show your support for our campaign                                        Magazines Tobacco advertising in magazines glamorizes and normalizes tobacco use. Tobacco companies advertise in the popular magazines with high youth readership including Rolling Stone, Ebony, Newsweek, Time, People and Sports Illustrated. More than $516 million is spent each year to market their addictive and deadly products to New Yorkers. Tobacco advertisements in magazines: Encourage youth initiation Undermine tobacco cessation and prevention efforts Influence (and constrain) the publication’s ability to report on and accurately convey health consequences of tobacco use What You Can Do Request magazine subscriptions without tobacco ads Send publishers a letter demanding they stop running tobacco ads Ask institutions committed to the health and well-being of their customers, patients, employees and students to not display magazines carrying tobacco advertisements in their libraries, waiting areas and break rooms If you subscribe to Newsweek, call 1-800-526-2595 to request your tobacco ad-free editions                                        Smoking In Movies Tobacco companies have taken advantage of the powerful influence movies have on people’s behavior to popularize and normalize smoking. Despite legally binding pledges from tobacco companies to stop paying cash for brand placement, tobacco brands still appear in movies. Portrayals of smoking in movies promote the same themes as other tobacco advertising: rebellion, independence, sexiness, wealth, power and celebration. Rarely do movies depict the realities of smoking – characters suffering from smoke related diseases and the effects of secondhand smoke. Scientific research confirms that on-screen smoking strongly influences young people to start smoking. Seventy-five percent of PG-13 rated movies and 40% of movies rated G and PG contain tobacco images. However, over 69% of surveyed residents within the Tobacco Free CNY area believe that movies rated G, PG, or PG 13 should not show actors smoking. Smoking in movies: Encourages youth initiation Undermines tobacco cessation and prevention efforts Cues smokers to light up Reduces current smokers’ resolve to quit Encourages former smokers to resume smoking What You Can Do Sign the Global Petition (see http://www.smokefreemovies.ucsf.edu) Write the president of the Motion Picture Association of America demanding that smoking be eliminated from G, PG and PG-13 movies (see http://www.mpaa.org) Ask local theaters to run and anti-smoking ad before any movie that contains smoking                                        Sponsorships Tobacco companies sponsor events, individuals, teams and facilities by providing financial support for activities, promotions and services. In turn, they earn brand recognition by being listed as a sponsor or attaching their brand name to the event. As a result, tobacco brands gain association with sporting events, music concerts and other programs. Tobacco companies also contribute financially to events, venues and organizations through corporate giving. Although less visible, their support targets museums, dance troupes, university research and community organizations. The majority of studies regarding tobacco sponsorship agree that its effects on children are similar to those of traditional product advertisement and promotion; about 1/3 of adolescent experimentation with smoking results directly from these types of marketing. Through these sponsorships, tobacco companies: Acquire “innocence through association” with organizations and events Sign a pledge to NOT accept tobacco company sponsorship for your organization, team, event, venue or company Let organizations and event organizers that receive tobacco company sponsorship know that you are opposed to this acceptance of tobacco money and urge them to stop doing so                                        Promotions Tobacco company bar and nightclub promotions target young adults, age 18-24, that are susceptible to becoming smokers. Tobacco companies entice bar owners with financial incentives and bar paraphernalia. They also recruit new smokers with cigarette-sponsored sweepstakes, contests and even hire people to mingle with the crowd to promote their brands and products. Tobacco companies have not limited themselves to bars and clubs. They also host freestanding exhibitions such as tents, booths and walk-in vehicles at fairs, parades, concerts and other family events. Although admission to these exhibits is restricted to those 21 and older, the exhibits are usually located in high traffic areas such as midways and attract the attention of youth and young adults. Tobacco companies use these tactics to promote their brands and products, to lure new smokers and to obtain personal information for mailing lists used in direct mail campaigns. Direct mail efforts target current and potential tobacco customers, by mailing items such as: Coupons and discount offers, especially to smokers who are “price-sensitive,” particularly youth and young adults Controlled circulation magazines, advertising smoking as a socially desirable activity Brand loyalty programs that encourage frequent purchases of tobacco products through incentives Sweepstakes and contests Birthday cards What You Can Do Report any tobacco company promotions you see to your local community partnership or coalition Talk to organizational decision-makers about tobacco company promotions and ask them to sign a pledge not to participate