Press Releases

Colombia Takes Action to Save Lives by Implementing Sweeping Smoke-Free Decree

vincenzomazzurco — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:04:24 -0600

Washington, D.C.—The government of Colombia took historic action this week to protect the health and lives of its citizens by implementing a sweeping smoke-free decree that applies to all indoor workplaces and public places. The decree was first introduced in May of 2008 and went into effect this week. It requires that all indoor workplaces and public places be smoke-free, including restaurants, bars, public transportation and medical and educational institutes.

New Investigative Reports Detail Vast Scope of Global Cigarette Smuggling, Underscore Need for Strong Treaty to Combat Problem

carafogarty — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — As nations convene today in Geneva to negotiate an international treaty to combat cigarette smuggling and other illicit tobacco trade, a new series of investigative journalism reports underscore the vast scope of the problem, which harms global health, funds organized crime and terrorist organizations and costs governments billions in revenue.

Implementation of India's Smoke-Free Law Is a Historic Step to Protect Health

carafogarty — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The government of India today has taken a historic step to protect the health of the nation’s more than 1.1 billion citizens by implementing a national law that requires workplaces and public places to be smoke-free. India is the largest country in the world to implement a nationwide smoke-free law, and it joins a fast-growing global movement to protect non-smokers from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke.

Philip Morris International Forced to Drop Another Concert Sponsorship; Philippine Health Department Applauded for Taking Action

maggysterner — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C – For the second time in a month, Philip Morris International has had to withdraw sponsorship and promotion of a concert in a developing country after coming under international criticism for engaging in cigarette marketing that appeals to children.

Study: U.S. Tobacco Control Program Saved Billions in Medical Costs

carafogarty — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A scientific study published this week found the tobacco control program in the state of California saved the state US $86 billion (in 2004 dollars) in personal health care costs in its first 15 years.

California has an economy and GDP larger than many nations, and it has one of the world's first and most effective tobacco control public education programs to inform the public about the dangers of tobacco use, discourage children from starting to smoke and encourage smokers to quit.

Major Report from U.S. Government Concludes Tobacco Marketing Promotes Youth Smoking

maggysterner — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:28:47 -0500

Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A comprehensive report issued today by the U.S-based National Cancer Institute presents definitive conclusions that tobacco marketing increases tobacco use, especially among children.

The report also concludes that mass media campaigns to educate the public and comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising and promotions are effective at reducing tobacco use.

Philip Morris International Caught in Philippines in Another Concert Sponsorship

carafogarty — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

For the second time in recent weeks, international tobacco control advocates are calling on Philip Morris International to withdraw its sponsorship and promotion of a major concert, this time in the Philippines where the company's activities appear to violate national law.

Last month, Philip Morris International withdrew its sponsorship of singer Alicia Keys' concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, after the company was criticized for engaging in cigarette marketing that appealed to children and after Ms. Keys called for the sponsorship to be withdrawn.

Study Finds Smoke-Free Laws Improve Health, Reduce Heart Attacks

carafogarty — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C.– A study published online July 31 in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine provides new, strong evidence that laws requiring smoke-free workplaces and public places have a rapid and significant impact on health.

The study found that after Scotland implemented a comprehensive smoke-free law, there was a decrease of 17 percent in hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome, and 67 percent of the decrease was among non-smokers.

Alicia Keys Sets Example for Entertainment Industry by Withdrawing Tobacco Sponsorship of Indonesia Concert

maggysterner — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. singing star Alicia Keys has set a positive example that should be followed by musicians and entertainers worldwide by demanding the withdrawal of tobacco industry sponsorship of her July 31 concert in Jakarta, Indonesia.

We applaud Ms. Keys for taking quick action to disassociate herself from the tobacco industry and to prevent her name, image and talent from continuing to be used to market cigarettes to children.

Health Advocates Protest Tobacco Sponsorship of Alicia Keys Concert in Indonesia

carafogarty — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. – International public health advocates are calling on U.S. singing star Alicia Keys to withdraw tobacco industry sponsorship of her July 31 concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, and are condemning tobacco giant Philip Morris International for sponsoring the concert as a way of marketing cigarettes to children.