[Intl-tobacco] Ceylon Tobacco stops advertising (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Ceylon Tobacco stops advertising
Source: Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Friday, 3/24/00

Ceylon Tobacco Co. Ltd on Wednesday announced that it was discontinuing
all advertising of tobacco products in the print and eletronic media with
immediate effect under a wide ranging industry code of conduct it is
introducing.

In addition to television, radio, cinema, newspaper and magazine
advertising, the Company said that advertising on billboards will be
discontinued immediately. It will also cease sports sponsorships under its
brand trademarks with immediate effect.

The Company will continue to advertise its products at store level, where
cigarettes are sold.

The Company has introduced this code of conduct to address public
perceptions on tobacco advertising and to declare product information in
line with international practice. It was doing so as a responsible company
in an industry seen as controversial.

Ceylon Tobacco said that it is firmly on the view that cigarettes should
not be sold to anybody under 18 years of age and restricts its marketing
to those above this age although the Sri Lankan law currently stands at 16
years.

In keeping with international standards, the Company will also publish tar
and nicotine levels on cigarette packs within a maximum time frame of 12
months, in consultation with the authorities.

Ceylon Tobacco pledged that it will continue through meetings and other
means, the practice of educating its relailers on the Company's marketing
policies as enumerated in the code of conduct.

"By regulating the conduct of its Marketing activities, the Company will
demonstrate to the public at large its sincerity of purpose in acting as a
responsible company in an industry seen as controversial," Ceylon Tobacco
said in a statement.