Here is an article I culled from the BBC. I think that it is important to share it with the L. UK tobacco firm targets African youth Cigarette firms are accused of dubious marketing tactics by the BBC's health correspondent, James Westhead A BBC investigation has found that a British tobacco company is actively targeting young people and teenagers in Africa. Cigarettes are being handed out free at youth events specially organised by tobacco firms during school holidays. The companies insist they only give the samples to adult smokers, but there's evidence their own rules are not being followed. The investigation is a further blow to an industry already dogged by accusations of dirty tricks and dubious marketing techniques, particularly in developing countries. The World Health Organisation is backing a radical international tobacco control treaty, which would include a global advertising ban. However, at a beach volleyball tournament in the Gambia, the organisers told us it was laid on for young people during the school holidays. Here in one of Africa's poorest countries though there was another more sinister purpose; promoting cigarettes. Yellow Benson and Hedges banners were everywhere and so were young women in B&H t-shirts handing out free cigarettes in the crowd. Tobacco companies say they don't give samples to under-eighteens. But as the women helped youngsters light up many appeared under age and no-one checks their ages or even asks. One of the cigarette reps told us the age limit was only fifteen before quickly correcting herself. She told us, "We only give free cigarettes to big boys." 'Encouraging people' Officially free samples encourage adult smokers to try new brands - but some youngsters felt the real aim was rather different. One eighteen year old told us, "It is definitely encouraging people to smoke. Coming to the beach and handing out free cigarettes - that is encouraging people to smoke." The slick operation is run from London by British American Tobacco who produce the main cigarette brands in the Gambia, Piccadilly and Benson and Hedges. They declined an interview about their marketing practices. However we tracked down their sole agent, the Gambias biggest cigarette importer, George Madi, to a seedy office in the capital, Banjul. There, laughing, he explained that when it came to promoting cigarettes BAT had only one rule, "To sell more cigarettes, to promote more cigarettes. Is that the only rule? Yes ." Ban lifted > The Gambia, a muslim country, used to be one of the few places where cigarette advertising was banned. After a military coup the ban was lifted three years ago and now tobacco sponsorship is everywhere. The result has been a doubling of cigarette sales almost overnight. The World Health Organisation believes it has also led to an increase in smoking among children. A recent survey it conducted across Africa found one in five under fifteen year olds now smoke. The WHO representative in the Gambia Dr James Mwanzia was shocked by our evidence of direct marketing at youth events. "It is the height of hypocrisy because, how do you sponsor a health event like a volley ball match and then give out cigarettes. This is the kind of thing we are very worried about", he said. It's not just volleyball. Tobacco money is everywhere. Football tournaments, music concerts, even parties are sponsored by cigarette companies as a way of gathering young people together. We filmed at a community radio station in the tiny village of Brikama which depends entirely on cigarette sponsorship. British American Tobacco pays the equivalent of twenty pounds to sponsor an entire radio programme and supplys the prizes, cigarette ashtrays. The DJ, General T, says he doesn't like it but has no choice. "I am promoting a cigarette company. But I would not be a cigarette advertiser if we could get some other finance. We do not want to promote cigarettes but we have no funds", he explained. The financial divide is sharpest on the soccer pitch. Youth teams in the Gambia can't even afford footballs. So tobacco companies are ready and willing to help and of course hand out free cigarettes at soccer games. The regional footbal league organiser Ansumana Dibba says "We don't have the resources to buy football equipment, balls and jerseys. When you're faced with financial constraints then you're at the mercy of the tobacco companies." Following our investigation BAT say they're re-briefing their teams in the Gambia as a precautionary measure to ensure their staff don't hand out free cigarettes to children under eighteeen. They insist their own rules haven't been broken, but there's no sign of an end to marketing techniques that clearly target young people in the third world. Search BBC News Online Advanced search options BBC ONE TV NEWS WORLD NEWS SUMMARY PROGRAMMES GUIDE BBC NEWS 24 BULLETIN See also: 02 Aug 00 | Health Big tobacco accused of dirty tricks 02 Aug 00 | Health A global smoking battle 03 Aug 00 | Health Tobacco giants deny smear tactics 05 Aug 00 | Health Tobacco industry under fresh pressure Internet links: World Health Organisation ASH British American Tobacco The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Other top UK stories: Siamese twins to be separated Kray's first taste of freedom History beckons for Redgrave Internet bank fraud: Five charged Euro rescue mission wins support Car-free day fails to get support Blow to NI peace deal MI6 attack weapon identified Links to top UK stories are at the foot of the page. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. 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