Claims that international tobacco companies are targeting young people in Nigeria have spurred a $43 billion government lawsuit against Phillip Morris, British American Tobacco and International Tobacco.
Activists told The Guardian that the companies are targeting teenagers with marketing strategies that have banned in other nations, using sponsored events, pop stars and product placements to glamorize smoking.
According to the World Health Organization, one in five Nigerian teenagers smoke, and the number of women smokers there rose tenfold in the 1990s.
Government lawyers cite “internal” corporate documents that identify “young and underage smokers” as a prime target — some no more than eight or nine years old.
Critics of the lawsuit say that Nigeria’s lawsuit is a cynical ploy to make money off the industry, which only recently enjoyed numerous tax breaks there.
–Josh Wilson/Newsdesk.org
Source:
“Nigeria takes on big tobacco”
The Guardian (U.K.), January 15, 2008
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This is disgusting. Are tobacco companies really that greedy as to target a country who has yet to make laws banning such advertising? Are they really that desperate to find new smokers? There aren’t enough people on this planet polluting their bodies with these toxins that we are needing to target children? These tobacco companies should be ashamed of themselves, if they weren’t so busy living it up in their posh houses and living the high life, at the expense of children’s health. Congratulations.. you have done it again.
This is not only disgusting its sad. You guys should get your heads out of te toilet!and give your heads a shake!