Jump to full article: The Nation (th), 2009-11-11
Author: Pongphon Sarnsamak The Nation.
Intro: The tobacco industry is using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to promote its products and persuade people to become smokers, a study revealed yesterday.
"The ban on advertising does not mean the tobacco industry has stopped advertising its products," said Becky Freeman of Australia's University of Sydney, who conducted the study.
She presented her findings in Bangkok at a threeday regional training workshop held by Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA).
Freeman said most tobacco companies were interested in viral marketing (using preexisting social networks to increase brand recognition) to persuade or influence audiences to pass products on to others.
A million people had visited video clips on YouTube reviewing cigarettes, she said, and thousands more had become fans of the products on Facebook.
"The Internet has made it easier to engage consumers by allowing them to contribute directly to marketing campaigns and brand development," she said.
The use of social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, podcasts and RSS would be one of the main topics up for discussion at Tabinfo Asia 2009 . . .
Another marketing device was the use of product and pack designs - such as colourful and glowinthe dark packs - to entice specific groups.
"For example, we found cigarette packs designed like lipsticks or wallets - a new way to lure more and more women to become smokers," she said. . . .
A group of 650 people, including teenagers, led by Action on Smoking and its alliances, will today demonstrate against the Tabinfo Asia 2009 at Impact Arena.
"This is a nightmare for our people," SEATCA's director Bungon Ritthiphakdee said
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