WASHINGTON, D.C. -- April 26, 2007 -- The Federal Trade Commission today released two reports on tobacco industry marketing expenditures showing that the tobacco industry spent a total of $27.7 billion in 2004 and 2005 to advertise and promote their lethal products to Americans. While the annual expenditures were slightly less than the $15.4 billion spent in 2003, the report confirms that the tobacco companies continue to spend exorbitant amounts of money in their efforts to hook children and adults to their products.
Following is a statement on the report from Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN):
“The report shows that the tobacco industry’s deep pockets continue to fund advertisements in highly visible places like the Internet, magazines and convenience stores that appeal to children. We also know that the industry is inviting adults to lavish parties at bars, clubs and concert venues to promote its products, as R.J. Reynolds has done with its new Camel No. 9 brand. The bottom line is the tobacco companies are going to disturbing lengths to keep their 45 million American customers smoking and to addict new customers.
“Big Tobacco spent nearly $200 million last year in an attempt to defeat state initiatives to increase the tax on cigarettes and enact smoke-free workplaces laws. All the while, the industry continues to deceive the public about the life-threatening health effects of their products.
“The good news is Congress has the power to make progress in the fight against big tobacco. Bipartisan legislation currently in the House and Senate would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the sale, distribution and advertising of tobacco products. The legislation would make great strides by restricting tobacco advertising and promotions, stopping illegal sales of tobacco products to children, requiring changes in tobacco products, such as the removal of harmful ingredients and requiring tobacco companies to disclose the contents of tobacco products, among other things.
“Together with our public health partners, we urge Congress to act now and enact longoverdue regulation of these deadly products that claim the lives of 440,000 Americans each year.”
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society. ACS CAN is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major public health problem through issue campaigns and voter education aimed at lawmakers and candidates to support laws and policies that will help people fight cancer. ACS CAN does not endorse candidates and is not a political action committee (PAC). For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Kat Porter
Phone: (202) 585-3202
Email: [email protected]