[Intl-tobacco] Australia: Tobacco giant under scrutiny for website

[Robert Weissman]

Tobacco giant under scrutiny for website
Source: AAP (Australian Associated Press), Tuesday, 12/12/00

MELBOURNE - International tobacco giant Philip Morris has dismissed claims
that it was using a trendy Internet company as a means to recruit teenage
smokers in Australia.

A Herald Sun report yesterday revealed that Philip Morris was behind the
Wavesnet website, an Internet company set up to run fashion parades and
rave parties where cigarettes are sold at a discount.

The site, well-designed and aimed at the fashion-conscious, offers access
to events in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne and
advertises a selection of fashionable gifts and cosmetics to websurfers
who sign up with personal details.

The anti-smoking Quit campaign hit out at the site, calling it an
"insidious"  attempt to lure young smokers.

Meanwhile, Victorian Health Minister John Thwaites said he would write to
the company and ask them to guarantee they were not doing anything to
promote smoking among young people.

Philip Morris acknowledged its links to the Wavesnet site and its
associated events but denied that it was using its connection for
irresponsible marketing.

A spokeswoman said the company had not operated illegally or unethically,
and stressed that all events were restricted to over 18s and all venues
carried out ID checks to ensure under 18s did not gain entry.

The company said in a statement that its participation in the site was
"transparent" and all promotional material clearly stated this.

However, it went on to say that the Wavesnet site did not identify or
refer to the company or any of its cigarette brands.

"This was done intentionally and at Philip Morris' request because access
to the Internet is unrestricted," the company said.

"Philip Morris markets its cigarettes responsibly and has gone to great
lengths to ensure its activities are directed to adults and its
participation at events is open and transparent.

"To suggest otherwise is sensationalist, misleading and plainly wrong."

The company also denied that it used, or intended to use, information
gained by the website to market its products.

Mr Thwaites said cigarette companies had a responsibility not to do
anything that might promote smoking among the young.

"We are doing everything as a government to stop the selling of cigarettes
to young people but if cigarette companies are advertising on the Internet
or using promotional measures to get at young people then that is going to
lead to more young people smoking, not less," he said.

"I will be writing to Philip Morris and asking them to ensure that they
are not doing anything to promote smoking among young people."

Mr Thwaites said the Victorian government would also review the issue of
selling products with cigarettes.

"If people want to buy cigarettes that's one thing but if companies are
then selling or giving away free products with cigarettes, that's another.

"It looks like its designed to attract young people."