An important new study released finds that the tobacco companies’ youth prevention campaigns do nothing to reduce youth smoking rates and the industry?s parent-focused ads may actually increase intention to smoke among older teens. The findings, published in the latest edition of the American Journal of Public Health, are further evidence that Big Tobacco cannot be the source for kids when it comes to learning about the dangers associated with tobacco use.
Despite their assertions to the contrary, the tobacco companies are just blowing smoke when they say they?ve changed their ways. Ninety percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21. Tobacco companies know that unless they recruit replacement smokers from among our nation?s youth, their profits will plummet.
This study emphasizes the need for states to adequately fund comprehensive tobacco prevention programs. Currently, only seven states ? Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, New York and Wyoming ? fund their tobacco control programs at 90 percent (or more) than the amount recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, Big Tobacco is spending record amounts on marketing ? $15.1 billion in 2003 alone ? to addict kids to its deadly products. If we ever hope to reduce the number of kids who become regular smokers, states must counter the industry?s so-called prevention campaigns with comprehensive programs that actually work
It is also time for Congress to pass legislation that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products. This legislation would give the FDA the ability to stop tobacco company marketing practices that lure kids into smoking.
In August, a U.S. District Court judge found the tobacco companies guilty of civil racketeering charges for deceiving the public for more than 50 years. In her opinion, Judge Gladys Kessler also found that the companies continue to target kids, stating: ?The evidence in this case clearly establishes that [companies] have not ceased engaging in unlawful activity?.their continuing conduct misleads consumers in order to maximize [their] revenues by recruiting new smokers (the majority of whom are under the age of 18)?and thereby sustaining the industry.?
The study released today examined youth exposure to tobacco industry television ads and whether those ads had an impact on attitudes and behaviors toward smoking. The researchers concluded that the youth-targeted prevention campaign ads had no impact on youth but older teens who saw parent-targeted tobacco company ads had a greater likelihood of having smoked in the prior 30 days.
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Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other major causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association fights lung disease and promotes lung health through advocacy, research and education. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is ?Improving life, one breath at a time.”