Tobacco Advertising Japan Tobacco

"Japan Tobacco International markets its products to school children in Pakistan."

Faye Turner

8 min Read Time | October 3rd 2020

The impact of Japan Tobacco International products and their problematic marketing strategies

Each week our reviewing team pick some of the most innovative, exciting, interesting, important and well-written impact analyses to go into our weekly draw for the WOW award. These impact analyses carefully analyse the impact a business has on the planet, assessing how sustainable they really are.

We know it takes time to write a great impact analysis, and our community goes above and beyond our expectations by conducting valuable research and writing analyses, so each week we'll be highlighting work we think deserves a badge of honour.

Winners of the WOW award get their impact analysis featured in our monthly newsletter and on our blog.

Read on to find out this week's winner!

Weekly Outstanding Impact Analysis

"Japan Tobacco International markets its products to school children in Pakistan."



Written by
: Harshit Tiwari
Company: Japan Tobacco
SDG 3
: Good Health and Well-being


Feedback from the reviewing team:


"This analysis was chosen as it touches on critical issues within the tobacco industry, and more importantly how this industry is managing to market its products with schools so nearby, Harshit carefully gives us well-researched incidents and allows the reader to make accurate ratings on the impact through this well-written piece."


Read the full impact analysis below and ensure you login or sign-up to make your ratings about the impact the topic in this analysis has on the planet and society.

“Japan Tobacco International markets its products to school children in Pakistan.”

Impact Analysis Japan Tobacco

According to the World Health Organization, low- and middle-income countries have more than 80% of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users3. Every year, almost 7 million people die from direct tobacco use, and another 1.2 million fatalities occur because of exposure to second-hand smoke3.

Every day, approximately 2,500 children younger than 18 years smoke their first cigarette1. Out of these, over 400 develop a smoking habit or addiction1. Studies have revealed that 90% of adult smokers develop a dependency on smoking during their childhood2.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is a Japanese cigarette manufacturing firm that sells its products across 130 countries4. In 2019, JTI was the fourth-largest manufacturer of tobacco products in the world5. JTI increased its marketing expenses in 2018, which reduced its operating profit by 10% to 209 billion yen (US $1,968,727,750)6;p40.

Reports from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, states that 242 retailers were selling tobacco products in 200 meters of schools in India, Switzerland, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Indonesia7. The Camel and Winston brands of JTI are available for sale in schools' proximity in 8 countries7.

JTI has also been accused of marketing and selling its products to kids in Pakistan10. The country reportedly has almost 20 million child smokers9. Investigations made against JTI uncovered its involvement in marketing strategies aiming to sell tobacco products to children10. Surveyors recorded 47 instances of tobacco advertising, selling, or displaying within 150 meters of schools and school playgrounds by JTI in Pakistan8;p4. This is despite the country's tobacco control legislation, which has banned the sales of smoking substances within 50 meters of the schools and prohibits tobacco advertising8;p5.

JTI has been using illicit marketing strategies to expand its sale to society's younger strata. JTI needs to change its marketing methodology to reduce the risk of addiction among the younger generation.

Related
Articles

Based on the article you've just read, here are some more we think you'd be interested in.

WOW Graphics Impaakt Social Media 28

9 Min read

Cognizant's SIP, a SaaS-based clinical ecosystem, helps expedite clinical trials in health care

How has health and technology created an effective partnership to speed up healthcare solutions?

Altria Impact ecigarette

10 Min read

Altria's e-cigarette Juul increases the likelihood of smoking 3-fold.

Weekly Outstanding Impact Analysis 13th November

Hero longform

73 Min read

Coronavirus: Can 21 companies earn hero status in a pandemic?

Investigating how 21 High Impact Companies behaved during a Crisis

World Green Background Sustainability small

Let’s take action together

With the right investment companies having a positive impact on the planet are able to flourish. Our community forms part of that mission by measuring their impact.

Join Us