International Use and Marketing of Cigarettes and Proposed Interventions

Abstract

This paper focuses on the trends of cigarette smoking and the role of transnational corporations in the marketing of tobacco in developing countries that have experienced an increase in cigarette sales and smoking population. In most of these countries, over 50% of adult males smoke cigarettes, while less than 20% of adult females are regular smokers. Cigarettes yielding higher tar and nicotine are being marketed in developing countries. The increase in tobacco use in developing countries is attributed to a variety of activities by transnational tobacco companies in the production of tobacco, exports to developing countries, advertising and the offering of financial incentives to tobacco farmers. To decrease the prevalence of cigarette smoking, especially in developing countries, legal and financial actions are suggested. School-based prevention programmes are also reviewed to prevent children and adolescents from becoming regular smokers.