FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFor Tobacco Marketing Several members of the international tobacco industry, including Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE:2914) have agreed new, globally consistent standards that define minimum restrictions for the companies' marketing activities worldwide. The companies are also discussing the new standards with other tobacco companies and hope that they will join them in ensuring that the promotion and distribution of tobacco products continues to be responsibly directed only at informed adults who choose to smoke, and never at youth. In countries where the new standards exceed existing voluntary or legal restrictions, the companies are committed to working with regulators to see the standards incorporated into law, or into agreements that ensure effective local implementation. In countries where existing arrangements are more restrictive, those existing agreements or laws will continue to be followed. The companies already have long-established individual advertising codes of practice. However they have now established a common basis for clearly understood conduct which sets a new baseline for acceptable tobacco marketing worldwide. The new standards will have an impact on marketing practices in many countries around the world. They cover all aspects of marketing including print, billboards, electronic media, promotional events, packaging and sponsorship. Subject to regulatory approval, compliance with the standards should occur as soon as possible next year, and no later than December 31, 2002. Japan Tobacco Inc., with sales in the year ended March 31, 2001 of US $36 billion (translated at a rate of US $1 = Yen 123.90), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of tobacco products and has three of the world's top five brands in its product portfolio. Since its privatization in 1985, it has actively diversified its operations into pharmaceuticals and foods. |
