Hygiena 2016, 61(1):29-32 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1415

The Effect of Tobacco Industry Marketing on Minors

Jarmila Kučerová

Univerzita Karlova v Praze, 1. lékařská fakulta, Ústav hygieny a epidemiologie a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze, Praha

Restriction of tobacco advertising is an effective strategy to decrease smoking prevalence. Marketing of tobacco products influences smoking rates among children and adolescents, and several studies have shown that youth are more sensitive to tobacco advertising than adults. Tobacco advertising of any form increases the awareness of smoking among children and increases the risk of smoking onset, regardless of the brand advertised. Many countries, including the Czech Republic, restricted tobacco advertising, however, advertising at point of sale and promotion through cigarette package design is still permitted. Important are marketing campaigns targeted at girls and women. On the other hand, restriction of tobacco advertising, especially a total ban of tobacco advertising and plain packaging, leads to a decrease in smoking prevalence among minors.

Keywords: underage smoking, tobacco products - advertising, prevention of smoking

Received: September 2015; Accepted: December 1, 2015; Published: March 1, 2016  Show citation