
Tobacco firms using social media for secret advertisement: Probe
News Desk, bdnews24.com
Published: 30 Aug 2018 04:50 AM BdST Updated: 30 Aug 2018 04:50 AM BdST
Tobacco companies are secretly advertising cigarettes on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, an investigation has found, according to anti-tobacco campaigners.
The firms are paying social media influencers – popular young people with large online followings – to post images of cigarettes and smoking as part of a marketing strategy documented in more than 40 countries, the campaigners claim.
Following a two-year investigation by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Netnografica LLC, a US-based consumer research and consulting firm specialising in online research, the findings were published on Aug 27.
These were also detailed in a petition sent to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by nine leading public health and medical groups, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in a media release.
The investigation documents more than 100 social media campaigns by multinational tobacco giants Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Brands, according to the release.
Netnografica conducted interviews with young social media influencers who were paid to promote cigarettes online to millions of followers without disclosing that they were engaged in paid advertising, the Campaign said.
Those interviewed were granted anonymity to participate in the research, it added.
More stories
WARNING:
Any unauthorised use or reproduction of bdnews24.com content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
- Mongolia to suspend KFC outlets for inquiry after food poisoning reports
- A troubling link for South Asians
- Bangladeshi expert Prof Mahmudur Rahman to chair WHO committee
- Vitamin A Plus campaign for 22 million children on Saturday
- Awake on the operating table
- China says tests of human immunoglobulin are HIV negative
- Doctors introducing kidney transplant from brain-dead donors in Bangladesh
- Greece’s 10 years of economic crisis take toll on mental health
- Bangladesh fails to test Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder for asbestos
- This is your brain off Facebook
Most Read
- Trump 'in no rush' on North Korea denuclearisation as envoy heads to finalise summit plans
- 11th parliament: 49 reserved seat MPs take oath
- Chawkbazar tragedy: Dilip Barua blames Amir Hossain Amu
- Excavation of Bangabandhu tunnel underneath Karnaphuli River to start Sunday
- PM Hasina returns to Dhaka after six-day tour
- In chilling discovery, huge flammables found in burnt Chawkbazar building
- It is unfortunate that chemical warehouses were not moved, says Hasina
- BNP leader Farooque demands party hearing to find out own mistakes
- ISIS cases raise a question: What does it mean to be stateless?
- Chawkbazar fire: Removal of stored chemicals begins, mayor issues warning