'Sex, Lies & Cigarettes': An unfiltered look at Big Tobacco overseas
As I watched the viral video of the “Smoking Baby” last year, I was just as incredulous as most. How was this happening while his entire family looked on with smiles?
But I was truly stunned when I found out that 2-year-old Aldi Rizal, aka the “Smoking Baby,” wasn’t an anomaly in Indonesia. Government figures show that 30 percent of high school and university students who smoke started before they were 10 years old. Even more alarming, three out of 100 Indonesian children are regular smokers, already hooked, by the age of 3.
The tobacco industry has always wanted their customers young -- it’s the easiest way to create a loyal and life-long smoker -- but these statistics suggest they’re succeeding more than ever at a time when the common public perception in the U.S. is that the war against Big Tobacco has already been won.
For decades in the U.S., activists and officials have fought to regulate Big Tobacco. There have been many gains, such as banning cigarette ads on billboards and television, the removal of animated characters from advertisements, restrictions on public smoking, and billions of dollars spent on anti-smoking campaigns.
Companies like Phillip Morris, which have seen their revenue in the U.S. decline in recent years because of these changes, have now set their sights elsewhere. They are targeting developing countries using tactics that would never be allowed in the U.S., including adding flavors that appeal to children, selling next to school grounds, and pushing tobacco and pop music together on television.
For Big Tobacco, Indonesia is the new Marlboro Country. They aren’t wasting any time getting as many young people as possible hooked on their products before regulations arrive. Now it is Indonesia’s turn to take on Big Tobacco -- and it won’t be easy. Just doing a story involving the industry proved to be difficult. The tobacco reps in Indonesia and elsewhere are just as media-savvy and cunning as they have been for decades in the American tobacco wars.
Vanguard was able to see and hear how they speak behind closed doors by going undercover at the World Tobacco Conference in Jakarta. Viewers can watch them boast about Indonesia as a new haven for the tobacco industry.
No laws, no regulations, just profits and the health prospects of a generation up in smoke.
"Sex, Lies & Cigarettes" premieres on Current TV on Tuesday, June 28 at 9/8c. Watch the trailer below or click here for more info.
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- groups:
- vanguard blog, VG-blog-CP
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- tags:
- Health, Smoking, Indonesia, Cigarettes, 2 more
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Momo_De_Leon
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This is so sad....
- 1 month ago
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Momo_De_Leon
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jgray372002
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Shocking!
- 8 months ago
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jgray372002
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kvb1
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This was a well produced show. It examined how big business (specifically tobacco companies) cares only about profits, and will do anything to justify their actions. How that female spokesperson for PM can look herself in the mirror every morning, especially after giving those lames answers justifying PM's marketing tactics, is beyond me. These people sacrifice their moral and ethical values for a few (a lot really) dollars. Maybe of they had to see, even on a weekly basis, the harm they care causing to fellow human beings, maybe some of them would change.
This is why capitalism MUST be regulated. It is a parasitic economic model that will ultimately kill its host.
- 11 months ago
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kvb1
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USAProud
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As an international business and marketing college student in Texas, I was absolutely disgusted at the irresponsible International governments, cigarette companies, and their marketing departments! Shame on you executive officers at U.S. based Phillip Morris as you ALL know better! How can you ALL be so totally irresponsible and heartless? I have been completely ignorant in thinking, and believing, wholeheartedly that most people will "do the right thing even when no one is looking”. Boy am I wrong! After seeing this report, it’s clear to see that ethics, values, and morals have been compromised on a global level!
In addition, this report undoubtedly confirms that "big" business is only concerned in making even "bigger" profits regardless of the cost.The very high costs are the lives of the poor, uninformed, and uneducated people on a global level!
It saddens me to see that countries, and governments, would allow ANY company to exploit their citizens; All for what? Money?
Where are the ethics in marketing to children of this well-known silent killer?
Vanguard, I challenge you to follow up with a solution to this global health issue. Is there anything anyone can do? There must be a solution to this absolute madness and nightmare! Please advise!
- 11 months ago
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USAProud
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alexsmith01
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wow great report thank you for traveling there and showing us this. we have not been there and we have no idea thank you so much crazy stuff. and its american companies. smoking still number 1 killer in america and in the world. the american way to profit off other people like that.
- 11 months ago
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alexsmith01
