Tobacco companies that tell teens not to smoke?

Question

What to you think of the RJ Reynolds TV ads that tell adults to talk to their kids about not smoking?

At some point in time, all current smokers will be dead - trust me on this. Does it make sense that a big tobacco company would say 'future market share, don't buy our product'?

Of course not.

By the way, outside of the US, advertising regulations are much more lax. The tobacco companies are doing a very effective job targeting teens (especially young women) in Europe and Asia.

If one child is spared by a 'don't smoke' message, then the campaign is worthwhile. But it isn't about that.

It's about a megacompany wrapping the cloak of good corporate citizen around themselves (to comply with US ad laws) while exploiting the same (and bigger) audiences in foreign countries.

Is anyone outraged by this spin?

Answer 1

They have to make themselves look good in the eye of the public. They know teens are affected by peer pressure and a majority of those that they give the message "don't smoke" to will probably end up smoking just for the simple fact that they were told not to and the teen is a rebellious sort. They do just the opposite of what they are told to do. It's all about money. BIG money.

Answer 2

No. I'm not enraged by this advertising spin. I'm a non-smoker and any help to get parents talking to kids or kids talking to other kids about not smoking, the better. On the other hand, it's also negative because although the ads are helping the Tobacco companies comply with the law, but it could potentially be considered reverse psychology for the Tobacco companies as well. So by advertising to not smoke, they're also potentially targeting that audience with their brand who might consider smoking in the future any way. I'd rather see those ads, though, over the huge billboards.

Answer 3

Many of us know that they are only sending these messages in order to avoid future payments. Whether it would be to the cancer victims families in a class action suit or to the government in a claim that due to the increase in health costs we have to make you pay.

Look... naivety is free. Big business does nothing for the greater good. They only do for the mighty dollar. In my eyes it is equated to blood diamonds. The loss of life doesn't effect the bottom line... MUCH.

Many Europeans have an attitude that the individual assumes the risk. The know it can cause cancer, lung disease, COPD, etc. But in Europe the health care system is different also.

There aren't lobbyists in the legislators ears. Telling them how to vote, how to get a kickback, How to make them wealthier. they are all full of it. i wonder how many executives at Reynolds, Morris, etc...would feed cigarettes to their grandchildren???

Answer 4

I totally agree and have been smoke free now for 5 weeks. I run everyday and feel great that I don't smoke.

Check out my images I put on freedom from tobacco, THIS IS THE REALITY OF SMOKING.

The big companies pay stars to be seen smoking so to be attractive to the younger generation.

Johny Depp has a lot to answer for.

There are 2 pages of photos and they can be found here....

http://groups.msn.com/FreedomFromTobaccoQuitSmokingNow/smokerslung.msnw

If you smoke I hope you stop soon.

I have and feel GREAT!

Answer 5

I think it's great that they are telling teens not to smoke also you've asked this same question like 8 times what is so bad about a company incouraging children not to smoke when they are underage?

Answer 6

Its been done for years. they have to do it for their PR. If youre that outraged, maybe you should start a campaign about it with just those facts.... Although most people know about the spin... The problem is parents need to be a bigger influence in their kid's lives.

I'm not outraged.