MARETE: Woman: Tobacconists’ newest, juiciest prey  

By UN estimates, about 250 million women in the world – excluding those using other forms of tobacco – are daily smokers. About 22% of women in developing countries and 9% in the developed world smoke. The explanation for this disparity, I would learn, is that while tobacco companies are losing clients in the West, the market in the Third World is spiralling. And that of the fairer sex is being ruthlessly pursued. Look around you, and you'll see women and girls increasingly proudly puffing away. That, dear reader, is the tobacconist's deep pocket and smart brains at work! . . .

I already know what smoking does to men; it killed my Dad. People, let's not stand aside and look as our mothers, sisters and daughters fall into the same hole. On ASH's Web site is posted a hand-written letter received by RJR in January 1991, in response to the tobacconist's 'roving eye': "Dear Sirs, You are sending Christmas Cards and Coupons to encourage my 15-year-old daughter to smoke. Please remove my daughter from your mailing list." How brave! All the reason to have more of the 'Dear Sirs' – in the local languages – clogging the tobacco companies' mailboxes, don't you think?

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