[Intl-tobacco] FCA PRESS RELEASE: Tobacco Companies Weasel way into World Cup Despite Ban

[Robert Weissman]

FCA PRESS RELEASE: Tobacco Companies Weasel way into World Cup Despite Ban
31 May 2002

Non-Governmental Organisations from the international Framework Convention
Alliance (FCA) have hit out against British American Tobacco (BAT) which has
managed to weasel its way into continuing its sponsorship of the television
broadcasting of the World Cup to Malaysia, despite efforts by FIFA to make
this years World Cup tobacco free.(1)  The advertising is even in violation
of BAT's own feeble voluntary code.

Countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa have also cried foul at tobacco
companies' efforts to use the World Cup to promote cigarettes.  Some
examples include:

o British American Tobacco's 'Nevada' cigarette brand is the official
sponsor of the Uruguayan team in the World Cup. All the television programs
in Uruguay are subtitled "Official sponsor of the Uruguayan team: Nevada."
o In 1996, BAT signed a 10 year contract with the Soccer Federation of Niger
(Fédération Nigérienne de Football).  This contract ensures the
promotion of
BAT Rothman cigarettes in soccer fields throughout Niger. In 1998 BAT built
7 'New Line' pavilions and placed them strategically in Niamey’s
intersections, even in front of schools.  These pavilions are a gathering
place for young people to play and they have easy access to cheap
cigarettes. It is in those pavilions that BAT will broadcast live
matches of
the World Cup 2002 on giant screens.
o The Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Monopoly are using soccer images on packages
of their TIME cigarettes
o In Pakistan the transmission of the World Cup has been paid for by a
Philip Morris subsidiary  (the 'Pakistani Tobacco Company') and promoted by
the cigarette brand 'Diplomat'.(2)
o In Malaysia British American Tobacco is sponsoring the telecasts of the
World Cup.  They have launched an ultimate football website, enticing
everyone over 18 to join a competition that offers a trip to Yokohama, Japan
(one of the venues of the World Cup 2002).  It has also been sponsoring
telecasts of the English Premier League and associating its Dunhill brand
name with English football stars such as David Bechkam and Michael Owen
without their permission.

A total ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the
cornerstones of the international treaty on tobacco control currently being
negotiated.  At previous negotiations an overwhelming majority of nations
involved recognised the vital importance of a global tobacco advertising and
sponsorship ban.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day (31 May 2002) is ‘tobacco-free sports’
and coincides with the opening of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and
Japan.  In support of this FIFA (the Federation Internationale de Football
Association) has declared the World Cup smokefree.  The over 180 members of
the Framework Convention Alliance calls on the sporting world to reject any
association with tobacco.

NOTES
1. The World Cup has been declared a tobacco-free competition under an
accord struck between FIFA  and the World Health Organisation, a UN body,
with cigarette advertising and sponsorship banned.
2. Philip Morris has a 20% share ownership of Pakistani Lakson Company

FURTHER INFORMATION

o The Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) is an alliance of over 180
non-governmental organisations from around the world that are working to
support the development of a strong, evidence-based Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control, and related protocols. For further information on the
Framework Convention Alliance please visit our website at:
<http://www.FCTC.org>.

o The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is a global treaty addressing
trans-national and trans-border issues, such as advertising, smuggling and
trade, which is currently being negotiated by national governments.  The
FCTC is also serving as an important catalyst in strengthening national
tobacco control legislation.  The negotiation of the FCTC represents an
historic opportunity for global action to curtain the tobacco epidemic.  For
further information please visit the World Health Organisation website at:
<http://tobacco.who.int>.

CONTACTS:

ASIA
+ Mary Assunta (Malaysia): +61 2 9351 7789 (office hours) 61 2 95175464
(after hours)
+ Olcott Gunasekera (Sri Lanka): +94 1 597156 (office hours) +94 1 862548
(after hours)
AFRICA
+ Yussuf Salooje (South Africa): +27 1 1 643 2958 (office hours)
+ Philip Karugaba (Uganda): +256 77 785 332 (office hours)
AMERICAS
+ Judy Wilkenfeld (USA): +202 296 5469 (office hours)
+ Elinor Wilson (Canada): +613 569-4361 ext. 332 (office hours)
EUROPE
+ Clive Bates (United Kingdom): +44 20 7739 5902 (office) +44 77 6879 1237
(mobile)
OCEANIA
+ Shane Bradbrook (New Zealand): 64 4 499 6494 (office hours) 64 25 728 448
(mobile)
+ Colin Richardson (Papua New Guinea): +675 472 1488 (office hours) +675 472
5657 (after hours)

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