Tobacco.org

• Le tabac pas une industrie de charité, car il tue [Tobacco is not a charitable industry, because it kills] 

Véronique Leclézio, director of the ViSa (Vie-Santé) association, reminds us each year that British American Tobacco (BAT) scholarships must stop. The spearhead of the antitobacco lobby in Mauritius explains why.

Each year you object to BAT's scholarships. Why?

This scholarship programme was launched in 1999, at the time that tobacco advertising was banned in Mauritius. We know that advertising is essential for business. The tobacco industry had to find a way to circumvent the ban by using this marketing technique of scholarships for young students.

Youth is the real target of the tobacco industry because 90% of smokers start smoking before the age of 20, according to the World Health Organisation.

So, you can't see anything good in the tobacco industry. Don't you trust its 'Social Responsibility'?

But where does this money come from? It is not a charitable industry, it is an industry that kills. Nothing could make us forget that these profits are made at the expense of people's health. . . .

The most important event is the ratification by Mauritius of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. . . .

BAT gives university grants to ten students 

Navin Ramdoyal has received the best student award by British American Tobacco (BAT) . This prize rewards one of the BAT undergraduate students, who has not only successfully completed his/her studies at the University of Mauritius but has also been active in university life. Like Navin, ten other students were given the chance to pursue tertiary education this year.

The Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme is one item of a social programme launched by BAT to participate in the development of Mauritius. . . .

As a member of Media Watch Organisation and Soroptimists International, which both militate against smoking, Manda Boolell hesitated for a long time before accepting to sit on the interview panel. But she confesses that she does not regret her decision. "If every company can allow society to make a step forward, it is positive. Anyway, it is up to each individual to decide whether he/she wants to smoke or not."

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Suspension of dealings in the Shares of British American Tobacco 

 With reference to the Cautionary Announcement of British American Investment Co. (Mtius) Ltd (BA Investment) of April 7, 2004, the Stock Exchange of Mauritius wishes to inform the shareholders of BA Investment and the public that, pursuant to Listing Rule 13.11, dealings in the shares of BA Investment on the Official List of the Stock Exchange are suspended with immediate effect until the issue of a Substantial Transaction Circular to shareholders by BA Investment

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Cigarette prices rise in Mauritius  

Prices of different brands of cigarette have risen by between 2.9 and 4.3 percent in Mauritius.

The British American Tobacco (BAT), the sole tobacco manufacturer on the island, said in a statement the price of a 10-unit pack of cigarette had been increased by one rupee and the 20-unit pack by two rupees. (29.8 rupees = 1 USD).

A BAT official blamed the price increase, which took effect from Monday on Added Value Tax, which rose from 12 to 15 percent 1 July.

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Tobacco Industry Launches Anti-Youth Smoking Programme 

The British American Tobacco (Mauritius) launched Wednesday the Youth Smoking Programme to discourage vendors from selling cigarettes to minors. Manoj Ujoodha, Corporate and regulatory affairs manager told PANA in Port-Louis that smoking is an adult choice and that minors should not smoke.

He recalled a study by the Mauritian health ministry conducted last year which indicated that most under-age smokers buy their own cigarettes and that their behaviour is linked to three factors - smoking parents, smoking brothers and sisters and alcohol-consumption. "These conclusions have been communicated to vendors."

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Smoking Declines By 3 Percent Annually 

The British American Tobacco (BAT)has said that cigarette smoking was declining at a rate of 3 percent annually in Mauritius.

According to Hema Soniassy from BAT's Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Department, the Indian Ocean Island nation recorded a decline of 34 percent in cigarette smoking during the past decade.

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NGOs To Ask For Compensation From Tobacco Industry 

Two non-governmental organisations, COAT and the Institute For Consumer Protection, announced Wednesday their decision to ask for compensation from the tobacco industry, mainly the British American Tobacco Company, the sole manufacturer of cigarettes in Mauritius.

"We ask people suffering from any disease linked with tobacco to contact us. We have a pool of barristers at our disposal who'll take the cases to court and ask for compensation just like in big countries," Veronique Leclezio, chairperson of COAT, said.

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BAT Mauritius Adjusts To  Declining Tobacco Consumption 

The British American Tobacco is restructuring its operations in line with declining tobacco consumption in Mauritius, its regional director announced.

Tony Jones said Friday the company was currently having a close look at its production costs so as not to "lose on every field."

There has been an annual decline of about 3 percent in tobacco consumption in the past few years.

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Mauritius Bans Tobacco Advertising, Sponsorship 

The Mauritian health ministry issued Monday new regulations banning all forms of advertising by the tobacco industry and all events sponsored by tobacco companies.

''These regulations also ban smoking in taxis and all passenger transport vehicles, classrooms, gymnasia, pharmacies, museums, post offices, kindergartens, lifts, schools, hospitals and other public premises,'' health minister Kishore Deerpalsingh said.

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