Project SCUM was a devious plan proposed by the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) to sell cigarettes to members of the "alternative lifestyle" areas of San Francisco, CA, and in particular the large number of Gay people living in the Castro area and the homeless people found in the Tenderloin.
The acronym "SCUM" stood for "subculture urban marketing." RJR, perhaps recognizing the offensive nature of its label, later renamed the marketing plan "Project Sourdough."
An anti-smoking campaign called The Truth targeted R. J. Reynolds for Project SCUM, arguing that it not only showed the usual exploitative tobacco marketing techniques but added to them an explicit contempt, or even hatred, for the people for which it was trying to market its products.
What do you think? Submit your vote at: ugly truth
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Chicago Voices | Anita's Story
What happens when the light comes on? Chicago native Anita shares her powerful story about confronting, and ultimately beating, her tobacco addiction with the help of her son.
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Who Are The Real Criminals?
In Australia where plain cigarette packaging is mandated by law, evidence continues to mount that the use of plain packs protect our youth from becoming replacement smokers.
Other countries, like New Zealand, the U.K., and even the U.S.A. have attempted to follow suit, but their elected leaders seem to prefer serving corporate interests/profits over the health of their entire constituency, and the efforts against plain packaging by Big Tobacco continue to prevail.
But, not every political leader caves to corporate threats or demands. Following Australia's efforts to put public health ahead of corporate profits, Ireland has become the second country in the world to legally mandate plain cigarette packaging. Kudos to Ireland for doing the right thing!
And what does Big Tobacco have to say about it? The tobacco industry claims that plain packs would be easier to counterfeit and would lead to more organized crime. Go figure.
I wonder what organized crime leaders would have to say about Big Tobacco's fear-mongering?
Source: Foundation Against Cancer | HT: REframe Kent
Other countries, like New Zealand, the U.K., and even the U.S.A. have attempted to follow suit, but their elected leaders seem to prefer serving corporate interests/profits over the health of their entire constituency, and the efforts against plain packaging by Big Tobacco continue to prevail.
But, not every political leader caves to corporate threats or demands. Following Australia's efforts to put public health ahead of corporate profits, Ireland has become the second country in the world to legally mandate plain cigarette packaging. Kudos to Ireland for doing the right thing!
And what does Big Tobacco have to say about it? The tobacco industry claims that plain packs would be easier to counterfeit and would lead to more organized crime. Go figure.
I wonder what organized crime leaders would have to say about Big Tobacco's fear-mongering?
Source: Foundation Against Cancer | HT: REframe Kent
Friday, May 31, 2013
It's World No Tobacco Day 2013
Free yourself! This is WHO's message to all governments on World No Tobacco Day 2013 today, and their theme for this year is - ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
A comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is required under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Tobacco kills nearly six million people every year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
Government leaders worldwide must intervene, and implement Article 13 of the WHO FCTC.
Why? Because about one-third of youth experimentation with tobacco occurs as a result of exposure to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Advertising bans significantly reduce the numbers of people starting and continuing to smoke. Banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce tobacco use.
And because, whatever will be, doesn't have to be. The future can be ours to see.
Source: Quit Victoria - Australia | HT: Smoke Free Donna
A comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is required under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Tobacco kills nearly six million people every year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
Government leaders worldwide must intervene, and implement Article 13 of the WHO FCTC.
Why? Because about one-third of youth experimentation with tobacco occurs as a result of exposure to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Advertising bans significantly reduce the numbers of people starting and continuing to smoke. Banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce tobacco use.
And because, whatever will be, doesn't have to be. The future can be ours to see.
Source: Quit Victoria - Australia | HT: Smoke Free Donna
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Someday Never Comes
By now, I'd have to say that all adult smokers know that smoking is hazardous to their health.
Yet, if you ask many of them when they are going to seriously take the steps necessary to beat their nicotine addiction, a good portion of them will respond with the dismissive word "someday".
As most anti-smoking advocates know, for a lot of those smokers, like Bill - someday never comes.
Bill urges young people to never start smoking. "If I was young again, I would never smoke," he says. "It's not good for your health or your pocketbook. It doesn't make you look cool, and it doesn't help you in any way!"
Bill also regrets the example he set for his children. "It's embarrassing when your 5-year-old asks you why you don't quit smoking. Yes, my children saw me smoke. But I'm glad they saw me quit!"
I can't say it enough - nothing good ever comes from a nicotine addiction. You'd better learn it fast, you'd better learn it young. Because for many, once you're addicted, someday never comes.
Yet, if you ask many of them when they are going to seriously take the steps necessary to beat their nicotine addiction, a good portion of them will respond with the dismissive word "someday".
As most anti-smoking advocates know, for a lot of those smokers, like Bill - someday never comes.
Bill urges young people to never start smoking. "If I was young again, I would never smoke," he says. "It's not good for your health or your pocketbook. It doesn't make you look cool, and it doesn't help you in any way!"
Bill also regrets the example he set for his children. "It's embarrassing when your 5-year-old asks you why you don't quit smoking. Yes, my children saw me smoke. But I'm glad they saw me quit!"
I can't say it enough - nothing good ever comes from a nicotine addiction. You'd better learn it fast, you'd better learn it young. Because for many, once you're addicted, someday never comes.
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