Free Fags Stubbed Out

Following the Government’s moves to outlaw tobacco advertising *Tobacco Ban Set For Summer, cigarette companies are stepping up their marketing drives. They are increasing the number of giveaway promotions, where cigarettes are given away free in pubs, clubs and other public places. The purpose of this exercise is to get people’s name and addresses and build-up marketing databases.

ASH, the anti-smoking pressure group, is meeting with the health secretary, Frank Dobson, next week to persuade him to ban this type of below-the-line promotion as well as tobacco advertising.

In the meantime, tobacco companies are desperate to increase their databases of confirmed smokers who they may only be able to target with direct mail in the future. ASH say that it is unlikely that direct mail promotions for cigarettes would ever be banned.

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