Tobacco Lobby

Tobacco companies sponsor national and local events under their corporate or brand names. Many tobacco sponsorships involve sports and activities popular with families such as rodeos, fairs, and racing, exposing children to heavy amounts of tobacco company images. In addition, many of these events may be televised, giving the tobacco company television airtime.

How to undo this
Be aware of what your children are exposed to when they attend sporting or community events, and avoid those that include tobacco companies.

Steer clear of booths or tents where tobacco products are promoted.

Be mindful of tobacco company sponsorships your children may see during a televised sporting event.

When you notice a tobacco-sponsored event in your community, write your local newspaper to express your concern and raise public awareness.

TOBACCO-SPONSORED BAR NIGHTS
In recent years, tobacco companies have sponsored special “bar nights” to promote their products, to provide free samples and giveaways, and to obtain names and addresses for their direct-mail marketing efforts. Bar napkins, coasters and other promotional materials are printed with the tobacco companies’ logos.

How to undo this
UNDO tobacco by patronizing only those bars that do not hold tobacco-sponsored “bar nights.”

If you visit a bar with tobacco-industry promotional materials, samples or giveaways, tell the manager or owner why you disagree with such practices.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Tobacco companies often support specific communities and populations with financial contributions to gain access, influence and respectability.

If you are aware of a tobacco company’s charitable contribution in your community, write the organization accepting the contribution to inform them of your concern. Tell them to look beyond the money and consider the real reason the tobacco industry is courting them.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to let them know how the tobacco industry is trying to buy credibility and a better reputation by infiltrating your community, while its products continue to cause life-threatening diseases and destroy lives.