Tobacco Companies rush to find New Markets

From the glory days of the the cigarette

to this kind of stuff going on all over the world, and with the jury starting to deliver its verdict, is it any wonder that this kind of stuff goes on.

British American Tobacco has been accused of trying to promote their products to young people in a number of African countries in manners inconsistent with their marketing policy. Who would have thought that they would provide dispensers to sell single cigarettes, promote rock concerts and paint shops the colour of their tobacco brands. We had no idea we hear the marketing manager say. Bullshit I say. What hypocrisy.

These are large profitable companies with large marketing budgets. Anything to get you hooked early. Why are these practices allowed in some countries at a time when cigarettes are being banned in others. Many of these countries have terrible health statistics and low life expectancy. Nothing like a cigarette addiction to add to that misery and to the bottom line of companies such as British American Tobacco

At least you will still be able to get high in Holland.

Not for me. I always felt sick after a puff from a joint. Tobacco always did that to me. A great deterrent.

Personally I like the ban in public places. I can remember my boss in Singapore was a chain smoker and you had to clear the air when you walked into his office. When we moved to the 32nd floor of Suntec City, which was a smoke free building, he was threatened with arrest when he lit up in his office on the weekend. Not much fun to be a smoker nowadays. That said, hooking young people in poorer countries to replace your shrinking market in more progressive countries seems very underhand.

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