The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Methods: “Analysis of various advertising schemes undertaken by the tobacco industry in Pakistan under its social responsibility drive”

Results: “The tobacco industry in Pakistan after the placement of a partial ban on advertising and sponsorships through an ordinance in 2001 has been using its corporate social responsibility drive to reach younger generation and policy makers. Under the guise of being socially responsible the tobacco industry is planting tress and setting up mobile dispensaries for medical checkups. Recently in Pakistan it launched a media campaign for its claims on underage selling. Knowing fully well that due to economic scenario in the country where almost 30 percent of the population earns less than a dollar a day even the sellers at times are under 18 years of age, it has used the media to tell the teenagers that it is alright to smoke once you are eighteen and has given the impression of being socially responsible to a government which is dependent on tobacco revenues.

The presentation elicits various examples of the practices of the tobacco industry in Pakistan and concludes that governments, policy makers and general public should see the truth behind these campaigns and should support the enforcement of a comprehensive ban to stop the tobacco industry from using the media to enhance its sales in Pakistan".