Promoting tobacco and cigarettes to young people in the age group of 11 to 25 has always been the mission of the tobacco companies, but after "The Cigarette and Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003" it is now somewhat difficult. Some companies planned for it much before the ban and are now promoting their cigarette brands on the sly.

Such unethical companies work only for the greed of personal wealth; they are the "Cold blooded greedy murderers," after the life of our children, STOP THEM NOW.

"Godfrey Phillips" is doing its cigarette promotion under the guise of bravery awards bearing the name of their cigarette and a deceptively similar logo, as on their "Red and White" cigarette pack.

ITC Limited is targeting youngsters by marketing innocent looking greeting cards bearing the name of one of their cigarette brand "Gold Flake" on the card and a deceptively similar logo, as on the cigarette pack.

ITC is promoting greeting cards and children notebooks. Their Greeting cards carry the name "Gold Flake" and a logo similar to the logo on their cigarette brand. These are not greeting cards but "Cancer Causing Cards" and "Cards which can cause heart attack." We protest.

"Burning Brain Society" objects to such promotions of cigarette brands and will do everything to stop it. Are you with us?

A REPORT

Another attempt by Tobacco Company to lure children into smoking

It is a widely known fact that all cigarette and tobacco companies target youngsters and minors in the age group of 11 to 25 for promoting their cigarettes. This is because more than 85% of the smokers start smoking before they reach the age of majority.

“Burning Brain Society (BBS)” highlighted yet another instance of illegal promotion of cigarettes by a tobacco company with an eye on younger generation. A meeting with leading educationist and teachers of the region was conducted by BBS to put up a combined fight against yet another attempt by some leading tobacco companies to promote tobacco to children.

This time the case pertains to ITC which is carrying the name of one of their cigarettes on the greeting cards marketed by them for the youngsters; besides the greeting cards also carry a logo, which is deceptively similar to the logo of the same cigarette brand, informed Mr.Hemant Ramtirth Goswami, the chairperson of the society.

Mr. Hemant Goswami said that no doubt that tobacco companies are into a legal business as tobacco has not been banned by law but at the same time they must do business within the framework of the legislation, the accepted ethics and norms of business. The moment the companies transgress the legal limits, the act so performed and the business thereafter becomes illegal. Luring youngsters to consume tobacco by doing surrogate advertisement with an appeal to emotions through subliminal visibility is a crime akin to cold blooded murder, Goswami added.

Mr. D. S. Bedi, president of “Association of Private Schools” expressed serious concerns on the issue and said that children are innocent souls who are easily impressed by flashy things; this attempt by the tobacco company to reach children on the sly deserves immediate protest and punitive action, anyone trying to promote habit forming intoxicants to our children must be severely punished. Mr. Bedi informed that the matter would be taken up at the next meeting of the association and a strict action taking plan shall be formulated to get the cigarette name and the common logo dropped from the greeting cards and children notebooks marketed by ITC.

Moved by the revelation, Ms. Dhiman, a teacher with a private school and a member of the “Burning Brain Society” said “If we don’t act, react and protest then it is just going to be a matter of time when ITC or some other cigarette company starts using logo of tobacco products on sweets and candies which incidentally they are already marketing.” An instance where a tobacco company has also started marketing snacks (Kuber Namkeen) under the brand name of their tobacco product (Kuber) was also highlighted by.

“It is an irony that on the one side we are bringing legislation for tobacco control and signing international treaties for the health concern of the public, and on the other hand government is indirectly investing in tobacco companies, specially the government controlled insurance companies,” said Mr. Hemant Ramtirth. He further informed that LIC is holding 11.33 percent stake in ITC, all the other general insurance companies and UTI are having a combined holding of another 18 percent and this excluded the mutual funds holdings. Goswami said that when the government is directly or indirectly such a major shareholder in ITC then at the least they must take care that the business is done ethically, morally, legally and that such like instances do not take place.

Mr. Satish Bhatti, an advocate and member of BBS said that the status of surrogate advertisement is different for tobacco products from liquor because in case of tobacco we have a strong legislature and an international commitment which is missing in case of alcoholic beverages. Tobacco companies can not promote their products by the mode of surrogate advertisements like this or by sponsoring bravery awards, etc. as these things are specifically banned under the Tobacco Prohibition Act and the FCTC too which India has ratified.

LETTER OF PROTEST SENT TO ITC LIMITED

Kind Attention:
Y.C. Deveshwar,
Executive Chairman,
ITC Limited,
Kolkata
 

OBJECTION TO TOBACCO PROMOTION TO YOUNGSTERS; DEMAND FOR WITHDRAWAL OF “GOLD FLAKE” CARDS

Sir,

We strongly protest to the use of the word “Gold Flake” on the greeting cards marketed by you. We would like to point it out that the word “Gold Flake” mentioned on the greeting card along with a deceptively similar logo as that on your cigarette packet of “Gold Flake” is nothing but surrogate publicity of your cigarette brand “Gold Flake.” This is not only illegal but also unethical and immoral. Such a thing is done with an intend to influence innocent souls and promote your cigarette brand at subliminal level.

In the interest of the public and young people, we demand the withdrawal of all such greeting cards with immediate effect.

 Thanking you,
yours cordially

 Hemant Goswami
Chairperson, Burning Brain Society
3, Glass Office, Hotel Shivalikview, Sector 17, Chandigarh 160 017
Telephone: 0172-2700001, 5185600

THE BUSINESS OF GOLD FLAKE
(From the report of ITC)

Kind Attention: Sh. Manmohan Singh,
Prime Minister of India,
PM Office, South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi - India-110 011.
E-Mail: manmohan@sansad.nic.in

INTERVENTION OF PMO REQUIRED TO STOP TOBACCO PROMOTION TO YOUNGSTERS

Sir,

We would like to bring to your kind knowledge about a ploy by tobacco companies to promote their tobacco products to youngsters.

The segment targeted by them is 10 years to 25 years. Promoting tobacco to anyone or selling tobacco products to young people below 18 is already a crime under “The Cigarettes and other tobacco products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade & commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act 2003.” Despite this fact, tobacco companies are openly promoting and selling their products to minors and youngsters. We have brought the facts to the knowledge of various Governmental agencies but it appears that it is quite a task to wake them up from their slumber.

Surrogate advertisements and promotions of tobacco products are also banned under the said act but tobacco companies are not perturbed by the law and appear to be hand-in-league with the government machinery.

Two such recent incidences which we would like to bring to your kind notice are;

1. Promotion of a brand of cigarette (Red and White) by Godfrey Phillips by reinstituting a bravery award in the name of their cigarette brand (they call it social initiative).

2. Marketing of greeting cards meant for children by ITC Ltd. Bearing the name of one of their cigarette brand (Gold Flake) and carrying a deceptively similar logo style on the cards.

►    In the first instance the cigarette company is promoting the brand of their cigarette “Red and White” by instituting “Red and White Bravery Awards.” It is worth noting that many government officials and senior officials participate in these award ceremonies in return for petty gains. We have been protesting about the same but with little success till now. After the implementation of said Act, Section 5(3) of the Act clearly declares these kinds of surrogate promotions illegal but the Government and its officials refuse to act.

►    In another case ITC Limited is promoting greeting cards under the brand name “Gold Flake Expressions.” It is worth noting that these cards bear the name of their leading cigarette brand “Gold Flake,” carries a similar logo as on the cigarette pack and is targeting young people in the segment of 10-25 years. Can we allow cold blooded murder of our children? Can we allow such subliminal publicity targeting innocent souls? Who will answer this question and when will we react? ITC is also marketing confectionary items like candies, toffee rolls etc. for children and it is going to be just a matter of time when these things are also going to bear the name of cigarette or other tobacco products. Shouldn’t all such cards be immediately confiscated and action be taken against the company?

The issue becomes more important when we realize that the government itself is having about 31% stake in ITC through LIC, UTI and other insurance companies. If the Government is a share holder of tobacco companies and prefers to remain in the “killing” business (instead of investing in cash starved infrastructure development), still it must insure that the business is conducted in a legal, moral and ethical way. Regard for the law and the dignity of life must be maintained at all times, after all wealth accumulation by any means is not the sole aim of the state, if it be one.

These are not isolated cases; another tobacco company (KUBER) has started marketing snacks (Namkeen) under the brand name of their tobacco product (Kuber Namkeen) and hence promoting the tobacco product. Many tobacco companies are promoting their tobacco products through another similar or same named product by just declaring that this is a non-tobacco product whereas the other variant bearing the same name is a tobacco product (Example Pan-Parag).

The other provisions of “The Cigarettes and other tobacco products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade & commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act 2003” too remains unimplemented is no secret as even outside the “Nirman Bhawan,” the seat of Ministry of Health, open violations of the tobacco act galore but no body seems to be interested to react. Anyhow that remains beyond the scope of present petition.

There can be no doubt about the fact that these all tobacco companies are trying to target young people as more than 85% of the people who consume tobacco start before the age of 18. I don’t think we will allow tobacco companies to do so. We have a strong international commitment in the form of FCTC too, this is the time to show and prove that we are committed. We need your intervention to stop all this.

Thanking you,
yours cordially

Hemant Goswami
Chairperson, Burning Brain Society
#3, Glass Office, Hotel Shivalikview, Sector 17, Chandigarh 160 017
Telephone: 0172-2700001, 5185600

Kind Attention: His Excellency A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,
Presidentof India,
Rashtrapati Bhawan,
New Delhi - India-110 011.
E-Mail: presidentofindia@rb.nic.in

INTERVENTION REQUIRED TO STOP TOBACCO PROMOTION TO YOUNGSTERS

His Excellency,

We would like to bring to your kind knowledge about a ploy by tobacco companies to promote their tobacco products to youngsters. The world is aware about your concern about the young people and their future and this is the reason for our appeal to your good office to save the innocent souls by a personal intervention of your good self, in the absence of any action by officials who must act.

The segment targeted by tobacco companies is 10 years to 25 years. Promoting tobacco to anyone or selling tobacco products to young people below 18 is already a crime under “The Cigarettes and other tobacco products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade & commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act 2003.” Despite this fact, tobacco companies are openly promoting and selling their products to minors and youngsters. We have brought the facts to the knowledge of various Governmental agencies but it appears that it is quite a task to wake them up from their slumber.

Surrogate advertisements and promotions of tobacco products are also banned under the said act but tobacco companies are not perturbed by the law and appear to be hand-in-league with the government machinery.

Two such recent incidences which we would like to bring to your kind notice are;

1. Promotion of a brand of cigarette (Red and White) by Godfrey Phillips by reinstituting a bravery award in the name of their cigarette brand (they call it social initiative).

2. Marketing of greeting cards meant for children by ITC Ltd. Bearing the name of one of their cigarette brand (Gold Flake) and carrying a deceptively similar logo style on the cards.

►    In the first instance the cigarette company is promoting the brand of their cigarette “Red and White” by instituting “Red and White Bravery Awards.” It is worth noting that many government officials and senior officials (including Governors of the State) participate in these award ceremonies in return for petty gains. We have been protesting about the participation of the Government officials and such surrogate promotion of tobacco product (A representation was sent to your office last year too about a similar act by the Governor of a state) but with little success till now. After the implementation of said Act, Section 5(3) of the Act clearly declares these kinds of surrogate promotions illegal but the Government and its officials refuse to act.

►    In another case ITC Limited is promoting greeting cards under the brand name “Gold Flake Expressions.” It is worth noting that these cards bear the name of their leading cigarette brand “Gold Flake,” carries a similar logo as on the cigarette pack and is targeting young people in the segment of 10-25 years. Can we allow cold blooded murder of our children? Can we allow such subliminal publicity targeting innocent souls? Who will answer this question and when will we react? ITC is also marketing confectionary items like candies, toffee rolls etc. for children and it is going to be just a matter of time when these things are also going to bear the name of cigarette or other tobacco products. Shouldn’t all such cards be immediately confiscated and action be taken against the company?

The issue becomes more important when we realize that the government itself is having about 31% stake in ITC through LIC, UTI and other insurance companies. If the Government is a share holder of tobacco companies and prefers to remain in the “killing” business (instead of investing in cash starved infrastructure development), still it must insure that the business is conducted in a legal, moral and ethical way. Regard for the law and the dignity of life must be maintained at all times, after all wealth accumulation by any means is not the sole aim of the state, if it be one.

These are not isolated cases; another tobacco company (KUBER) has started marketing snacks (Namkeen) under the brand name of their tobacco product (Kuber Namkeen) and hence promoting the tobacco product. Many tobacco companies are promoting their tobacco products through another similar or same named product by just declaring that this is a non-tobacco product whereas the other variant bearing the same name is a tobacco product (Example Pan-Parag).

The other provisions of “The Cigarettes and other tobacco products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade & commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act 2003” too remains unimplemented is no secret as even outside the “Nirman Bhawan,” the seat of Ministry of Health, open violations of the tobacco act galore but no body seems to be interested to react. Anyhow that remains beyond the scope of present petition.

There can be no doubt about the fact that these all tobacco companies are trying to target young people as more than 85% of the people who consume tobacco start before the age of 18. I don’t think we will allow tobacco companies to do so. We have a strong international commitment in the form of FCTC too, this is the time to show and prove that we are committed. We need your intervention to stop all this.

Thanking you,
yours cordially

Hemant Goswami
Chairperson, Burning Brain Society
#3, Glass Office, Hotel Shivalikview, Sector 17, Chandigarh 160 017
Telephone: 0172-2700001, 5185600

Protest lodged with the government  companies investing in ITC

For the kind attention of the Chairman's of the following companies;

Life Insurance Corporation of India
and
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.
and
General Insurance Corporation of India
and
National Insurance Company Limited
and
New India Assurance Company Limited
and
Unit Trust of India

INTERVENTION OF YOUR ORGANISATION REQUIRED TO STOP TOBACCO PROMOTION TO YOUNGSTERS

Sir,

We are compelled to write you this letter as your organization is a major share holder of ITC Limited.

As you must be aware that after the enactment of “The Cigarettes and other tobacco products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade & commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act 2003,” any kind of advertisement and promotion of tobacco product has been banned, besides sale of tobacco products to young people below 18 years of age have also been banned.

Despite this fact ITC Limited is promoting their greeting cards under the brand name “Gold Flake Expressions.” The use of word “Gold Flake” on the cards along with a deceptively similar logo of “Gold Flake Cigarette” is nothing but promotion of cigarette brand at subliminal level to the innocent souls who buy and use the card.

Not only is it illegal but also highly unethical, immoral and is akin to “Cold blooded murder.” As a responsible human being, and as a person heading a responsible organization, we feel that you must take the issue with ITC Limited and withdraw all the stocks of such cards in the market immediately.

The issue is important to us and every concerned citizen of this country; we are not going to allow this at any cost. As a first step, we are approaching you for exerting pressure and using your rights as a major shareholder to ensure that the business is conducted in a legal, moral and ethical way. Tobacco products, if they must be sold and/or promoted, must be sold only to mature adults who by their own choice decide to take their life.

We hope that you will ensure that all such greeting cards are immediately withdrawn from the market. Hope to hear from you on the matter.

Thanking you,
yours cordially

Hemant Goswami
Chairperson, Burning Brain Society
#3, Glass Office, Hotel Shivalikview, Sector 17, Chandigarh 160 017
Telephone: 0172-2700001, 5185600

Shareholders of ITC Limited. Indian Government is indirectly investing in tobacco and cigarettes to the extend that the combined stake of the Government (31%) is the highest in ITC. If Government wants, they can take over ITC.