Rockers Give Cigarette Industry a Real Boost

Source from:  thedailyobserver.ca August 28, 2007 08/29/2007

Tobacco industry executives were probably wringing their hands with glee after photos of two craggy-faced members of The Rolling Stones with lighted cigarettes dangling from their lips were plastered over the front pages of newspapers around the world last week. Government restrictions on cigarette advertising prevent tobacco companies from aggressively promoting their product anymore but, hey, who's going to complain if two high-profile aging rockers unwittingly do it for them? The influence of celebrity smokers on young people is more powerful than any government public relations campaign or education initiative, and the tobacco industry knows it. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that even the most authoritative parent was unable to stop an adolescent child from smoking if he or she was exposed to a slick tobacco marketing strategy, which often employed attractive big-name celebrities. Witness what happened after Keith Richards and Ron Wood were spotted smoking on stage during a concert in London. Audience members quickly pulled out their cigarettes and lighters, although they put them away just as fast after frantic ushers threatened them with expulsion if they didn't butt out. Richards and Wood, however, continued to smoke. A spokesman for the rock stars told The Times newspaper later that "Ronnie and Keith have been smoking on stage for the last three decades and they're not going to stop for the next two." He might have added, "If they live that long." Statistics Canada reported last week that smoking bans appear to be working, particularly workplace bans. Between 2000 and 2006, the proportion of Canadians who smoke dropped to 18 per cent from 24 per cent. The United Kingdom is still wrestling with its new smoking ban, which came into effect on July 1, prohibiting smoking in indoor public places. The defiant smoking Stones dealt an early blow to the fight for clean air when they strutted on stage at London's new 02 arena smoking cigarettes. They also sent a potentially dangerous message to a vulnerable group of fans that it's OK to flout authority, even it it means risking your health. Enditem