Outsourcing addiction

Jul 19

Episode

Outsourcing addiction

We examine why smoking is on the rise in developing countries.

Pro-kretek protest in Indonesia [EPA]

The adverse health effects of smoking are well-known. Research shows smoking has killed more people globally than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, drugs and crime combined. Despite the risks, tobacco profits continue to soar, reaching $35 billion in 2010, or the combined profits of Coca-Cola, Microsoft and McDonald's.

Meanwhile, the demographics of global tobacco use are shifting. As smoking rates decline in the US and Western Europe, consumption in the developing world is booming. It is predicted 80 per cent of global tobacco consumption will be in the developing world by 2030.

Some blame the smoking boom on aggressive marketing campaigns by tobacco companies while others point the finger at local governments who are hungry for revenues.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to Dr. Prabhat Jha (@CGHR_org), director of the Center for Global Health Research, and Dr. Vinayak Prasad (@Vinayakmprasad), project manager of the Tobacco Free Initiative at the World Health Organization. Members of the Stream community also join the discussion via Google+ hangout.

What do you think? Who’s responsible for the rise in global tobacco consumption? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using #AJStream.

View the story "Outsourcing addiction" on StorifyOutsourcing addictionWe examine why smoking is on the rise in developing countries.Storified by The Stream · Thu, Jul 19 2012 10:57:09Both tobacco production and consumption are soaring in previously untapped markets.Tobacco AtlasAJstreamSmoking rates are skyrocketing in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, by 2030 nearly 80 per cent of global tobacco consumption will be from the developing world. Though many local and international groups are organising to combat these sharp increases, anti-tobacco measures often meet resistance from local communities. Tobacco consumers and producers say that regulations destroy jobs and bring 'genocide' on national industry.

Indonesia, the world's fourth highest consumer of cigarettes, has yet to sign or ratify the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - which 176 other countries have signed. WHO rates Indonesia a '1' in creating smoke-free environments and '0' in banning tobacco advertisements on their 0-10 scale evaluation of tobacco prevention policies.

Tobacco AtlasAJstreamTobacco AtlasAJstreamTobacco companies argue that their presence helps to keep illicit drug and tobacco trade at bay. The video below, released by British America Tobacco (BAT), displays government representatives as unwitting accomplices in a mobster-style drama:Illegal cigarettes: Who's in control?welcometobatWhile the industry maintains that tobacco control measures allow illegal trade to flourish, WHO found that academic estimates vary extremely from those put forth by companies such as BAT and Philip Morris International (PMI).Tobacco AtlasAJstreamIn most countries, international tobacco companies take the lion's share of the legal tobacco market.Tobacco AtlasAJstreamWHO says that the response to industry presence and rising consumption should be three-fold: public health campaigns, taxation of cigarettes and legislation restricting cigarette companies.

Tax increases tend to be the most effective measure to curb smoking habits. According to WHO, a tax increase of even 10 per cent can decrease tobacco consumption by up to 8 per cent in low- and middle-income countries. Despite their success, high cigarette taxes of 75 per cent or more remain unpopular and are only implemented in 27 countries. Philip Morris InternationalAJstreamThough many countries ban actual cigarettes from appearing in advertisements, major tobacco companies use these restrictions to their advantage. As seen in this video from Indonesia, their advertisements often make use of popular culture and values to sell an idea, rather than the actual tobacco product:Iklan A Mild 2011wellyshadeSmoking behavior is still widely visible on prime-time television shows and clips on YouTube:The SmokeScreen Mediology - How Is Smoking Promoted In Today's Media?commonunityartsCompanies such as Sampoerna in Indonesia have sponsored music contests for youth and are seen as key investors in the country's arts scene.A Mild Live Wanted 2010.mp4alloyazz Philip Morris-owned Sampoerna leads the field in sponsoring an Indonesian arts and music scene that would otherwise be almost totally neglected. It’s almost enough to make one smoke. Tobacco products marketed to women and girls are often packaged to appear as perfume bottles, lipstick or candy.Tobacco AtlasAJstreamTobacco corporations insist that these techniques are not targeted towards minors and comply with government regulations to which they are subject. The Stream contacted PMI and requested an appearance on the program. In response, they sent The Stream the following statement:AJStreamAJstreamRequiring warning labels on cigarette packages is another controversial measure taken by governments to raise awareness among smokers. Cigarette companies argue that these labels infringe on their ability to freely display corporate logos and designs. Some of the images highlight secondary effects of smoking while others serve as gruesome warnings of the long-term health detriments caused by tobacco use.US Food & Drug AdministrationAJstreamUS Food & Drug AdministrationAJstreamUS Food & Drug AdministrationAJstreamUS Food & Drug AdministrationAJstreamIn 2007, Uruguay passed a slate of anti-tobacco measures, one of which requires these labels be displayed prominently on cigarette packs. Health warnings are mandated to take up 80 per cent of each tobacco package. PMI brought a suit against the government in 2011, calling its measures damaging to business.APAJstreamActivists have organised anti-tobacco protests and campaigns such as this video from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation:Thai Health Promotion Foundation- Smoking KidtheinfothaiWHO has urged countries to take up anti-tobacco campaigns and began organising an annual World No Tobacco Day. This year's campaign highlighted tobacco company lobbying. Past years have focused on marketing to women and girls.World No Tobacco Day 2012 - Stop tobacco industry interferenceunitednationsContent from Anti-tobacco protestsAJstream's Anti-tobacco protests set

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