Jump to full article: All-Africa.com, 2004-05-14
Author: Aliyu Saleh Machika / Daily Trust (Abuja)
Intro: A BBC investigation has found that a British tobacco company is actively targeting young people and teenagers in Africa.
Cigarettes are being handed out free at youth events specially organised by tobacco firms during school holidays.
The companies insist they only give the samples to adult smokers, but there's evidence their own rules are not being followed.
The investigation is a further blow to an industry already dogged by accusations of dirty tricks and dubious marketing techniques, particularly in developing countries.
The company involved, British American Tobacco (BAT), has pledged to re-train its staff to stop the practice. . . .
The Gambia, a Muslim country, used to be one of the few places where cigarette advertising was banned.
After a military coup the ban was lifted three years ago and now tobacco sponsorship is everywhere.
The result has been a doubling of cigarette sales almost overnight. The World Health Organisation believes it has also led to an increase in smoking among children.
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