Press Release

Contact:
Jorge Alday, Public Relations Manager
World Lung Foundation
jalday@worldlungfoundation.org
phone: +1 (212) 315 8817

WORLD LUNG FOUNDATION CALLS FOR TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS ON TOBACCO MARKETING AND RENEWED COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION

(August 21, 2008, New York) – World Lung Foundation released today the following statement from Sandra Mullin, Senior Vice President, Communications, regarding the National Cancer Institute’s study entitled The Role of Media in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use:

"World Lung Foundation commends the National Cancer Institute for its comprehensive study on the role media plays in both exacerbating and curbing the tobacco epidemic.

For too long, tobacco companies have used slick advertising campaigns, promotions and sponsorships to addict untold millions of people to their deadly products. The global public health community has made significant progress in regulating tobacco marketing, but tobacco companies still evade such restrictions. They spend billions promoting through sponsorships and clever direct marketing, which entice youth in particular. World Lung Foundation calls for governments to close the legislative loopholes that perpetuate this public health crisis.

The study also shows, however, that mass media, public relations and innovative marketing can be tools to reverse the tobacco epidemic. As a partner in the Bloomberg Initiative to reduce tobacco use, World Lung Foundation is working to build capacity in developing countries to run effective health marketing initiatives. Campaigns have been launched or are launching shortly in China, India, Mexico and Turkey. World Lung Foundation urges governments, NGOs and the private sector to commit resources and technical expertise to make these efforts sustainable. To do any less is to leave effective marketing in the hands of the tobacco industry.”

Click to download The Role of Media in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use.

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About World Lung Foundation
World Lung Foundation is dedicated to improving global lung health by improving local capacity to conduct research, develop public policy and deliver public health education. The organization’s areas of emphasis are tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, asthma, acute respiratory infections, child lung health and tobacco control. For more information, please visit http://www.worldlungfoundation.org.