|
|
|
|
Researchers from the University of Bath say the introduction of cigarette-like mentholated ‘cigarillos’ - mini cigars which are leaf-wrapped - to the UK market is helping big tobacco companies to bypass strict public health measures intended to reduce smoking.
The researchers focus on the introduction and marketing of cigarillo products which mimic cigarette brands, are as dangerous to health, and yet are not subject to the same public health measures or taxation.
Findings from the study show that these products are aimed at cigarette smokers. In January 2020, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) launched ‘Sterling Dual Capsule Leaf Wrapped’, officially sold as cigarillos but closely resembling previous cigarette products from the same company and with the same brand. Other tobacco companies - Imperial and STG - have since launched similar products suggesting they are also keen to exploit these loopholes. In March 2020, a pack of 10 of these cigarillos were sold for £4.60, significantly less than half the price of a 20-stick packet of Sterling Dual Capsule cigarettes (purchased for £10.95 in a convenience store). The authors of the study say the low pack purchase price is enhancing its consumer appeal, especially for poorer smokers.
Dr Rosemary Hiscock from the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath said: “Although cigarillos have to carry large pictorial health warnings, they can still be sold in colourful branded packaging, in 10-stick packs, can feature price markings which keep prices low, and can include characterising flavours, like menthol. Cigarettes, by contrast, must be sold in standardised olive-coloured packets of at least 20 sticks featuring the brand name only in a standard font and without any price markings or flavours. Future legislation needs to extend existing rules for cigarettes to all other tobacco products and accessories.”
Dr Rob Branston, the lead author of the study from the University of Bath’s School of Management, said: “Currently the market for cigarillos in the UK is relatively small, but this could grow rapidly in view of industry efforts to market these products as a new cheaper alternative, and this should worry us all given the health impact of a cigarillo is broadly the same as a cigarette. To address this, the UK should consider a variety of measures, including urgent adjustments to the tax system so that cigarillos packs can’t be sold so cheaply. As an immediate first step, we would like to see the Treasury extend a minimum excise tax to cigarillos, in order to appreciably raise the pack purchase price. If they are going to be sold as being cigarettes, they should be taxed like it too.”
The authors advocate that taxation offers the most immediate way forward. They suggest that tobacco duty can be changed relatively quickly and therefore provides the quickest way to reduce the incentives behind such products until tobacco control legislation can be revised.
Source: Medical Xpress, 27 August 2020
See also: BMJ: Cigarette-like cigarillo introduced to bypass taxation, standardised packaging, minimum pack sizes, and menthol ban in the UK
|
|
Children have been targeted by almost 160 gambling and alcohol and in one e-cigarette advert which break advertising rules, according to the regulator. Companies placing age-restricted ads online are required, under the Advertising Code, to target their ads away from children. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it had found 159 adverts on 34 websites and five YouTube accounts aimed at children in a “monitoring sweep”.
Gambling brands were a big offender, with 70 different betting promotions found on eight websites in the period between April and June 2020. The probe also found ten different alcohol ads from one brand appeared on one website, while e-cigarette ad appeared on one website. The ASA said it had monitored ads served on a sample of over 50 websites and YouTube channels and said it was taking follow-up action to contact the advertisers whose ads broke the rules.
Guy Parker, chief executive of ASA, said: “The ASA is using technology to proactively monitor online ads to help build a culture of zero tolerance for age-restricted ads appearing on websites aimed at children. We expect advertisers and the parties they contract with to use the sophisticated tools available to them to target their ads responsibly. This is just one part of a wider set of initiatives we’re undertaking to ensure children are protected online, and we’ll report on our further work in this area in the coming months.”
Source: City A.M., 26 August 2020
|
|
Vaping company, Blu, owned by Imperial Tobacco, claims that awareness of the menthol cigarette ban remains relatively low three months after the legislation came into effect.
According to the survey, only 54% of respondents were aware of the new ban. Of those who were aware of the ban, 1 in 3 learnt about it 2-3 months before it came into place most commonly by word of mouth. However, 18% only knew about it after its introduction.
The survey also found 44% of respondents thought the menthol cigarette ban should have been introduced sooner, but 65% thought the ban would not change other people’s smoking or vaping behaviours.
Source: Talking Retail, 26 August 2020
|
|
|
South Africa: Tobacco group withdraws legal challenge against cigarette ban
The Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) has reached a settlement agreement with the government over a court challenge to the five months ban on cigarette sales introduced as part of the COVID-19 lockdown. This came after FITA received assurances from the state attorney that Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, would allow for a public consultation process if a new ban were considered.
But the government did not agree to FITA’s request that it specifically be approached to make representations if a new ban were considered.
Source: News 24, 26 August 2020
|
|
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here.
For more information call 020 7404 0242, email [email protected] or visit www.ash.org.uk
ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
