Tobacco Company Tricks
Tobacco Companies are desperate to get young people to smoke as they need to replace all the people who have died because of smoking!
So what kind of tricks do you think Tobacco Companies use, to try and get young, healthy teenagers like you, with your pocket money to spend, to buy their cigarettes?
Here’s just a few examples:
- Even though the Government have now banned most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion in the UK, the Tobacco Companies keep spending BILLIONS of ££££ trying to promote their cigarettes – and who are they trying to target – YOU!
- Been to the cinema recently? Have you noticed that the main characters tend to smoke? Would that be because the Tobacco Companies have paid for their cigarettes to be in the films? Oh yes! Why? Because they think that if famous movie stars are smoking, then you will want to smoke too!
- Did you know that Tobacco Companies (especially in America) are adding flavours to their cigarettes, such as chocolate, vanilla and cherry? Who do you think might like to try these sweet tasting cigarettes that disguise the taste of normal cigarettes? Hmm, let’s think – adults? No, maybe not – they already like the taste of normal cigs as they’ve been smoking for years. Young people? Bingo!
- Some Tobacco Companies have set up websites to attract young people.
They’re clever as they don’t promote their cigarettes on their website really
obviously by saying things like “Our cigarettes are great! Go out and try
them!”. They do it sneakily by putting information on their websites about
cool nightclubs or other events where loads of young people will go to –
only because they know that their cigarettes are going to be massively promoted
at these places!
Other Advertising Tricks
It’s not just Tobacco Companies who are trying to get hold of your pocket money – loads of other companies are trying it too!
Have a go at this Ad Decoder to learn about the messages behind the ads you see everyday. This will help you to understand the differences between the real vs. the ideal.
