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Tobacco industry use of social media "requires global plan"
02.11.2016 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
As of early this week, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) representative Dr Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva said the tobacco industry is «searching for loop-holes and cracks» in internet advertising regulations so it can sell its products, UN Radio reports.
It is to be admitted, the WHO FCTC is an international treaty which had come into force in 2005.
As to Dr Silva, the use of the internet to promote cigarettes is one of the biggest challenges to global efforts to reduce smoking.
«Nowadays you can simply download a film from the internet and watch people smoking …and showing it as a regular normal social behaviour totally changes the landscape from the advertisement of tobacco products…» Dr Silva admits.
As to her, the continuing growth of social media has made it possible for the tobacco industry to target new young audiences.
She believes that only a unified, international approach on regulating how multinational cigarette companies market their products online will limit tobacco consumption.
Such collective action could be decided next week in New Delhi, when all 180 parties to the tobacco control treaty discuss how to implement measures at a country level.
Measures to restrict the use of so-called water-pipes and flavoured tobaccos are also likely to be discussed in the Indian capital, as evidence shows that they are up to 100 times more harmful than regular cigarettes.
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