SS 16.00-17.30 Special sessions

PRESS AND TELEVISION ON WORLD TOBACCO DAY

Because of the changes in political and economic situation in Russia, tobacco monopolies from the Western Europe and America have started conquering a large Russian market. A dozen of brands of imported cigarettes are the major and most profitable commodity for a great many of owners of small shops, kiosks or vendors. Along with this , there also have a place a wide advertising campaign of tobacco products in variety of ways.

For the interference of tobacco monopolies, Moscow has converted to an advertising pavilion as a whole. Outsides of boards, bus and trolley-bus stops are engaged in advertising tobacco products. The same part is given to a special tobacco kiosks decorated with trade marks of the companies. There are series of ways of indirect ads. Various companies sponsor lotteries, contests, quizzes, and also TV time to show sport competitions, including ads of the brands. For example, Russian championship - 96 on football is organized under "Magna" label.

One of possible contra-actions to the raid on the part of tobacco companies is World No Tobacco Day that should be covered via mass media. The National Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Russian Federation is responsible for coordination of such an action. Every year, in May 31 the Center presents materials, including the WHO information, data of its fellows, and contributes them to the central press and health centers. The report is going to present evidence of the work of mass media in organization of annual World No Tobacco Days and "Quit and Win" International Competition -96 in Russia.

Smoke Free Europe Conference Abstracts - 19 SEP 1996

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