Menu
17/04/2013
ASA Uphold Compliant Over Anti-Plain Cigarette Pack Ad
The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint by Cancer Research UK over an anti-plain cigarette pack advert, the second in as many months.
Gallaher, which markets brands including Benson & Hedges, Camel and Silk Cut, ran two ads in UK national newspapers claiming that government moves to potentially introduce plain, standardised packaging will be a boon for criminals trading in fake cigarettes.
One of the ads reads: "What make it easier for criminals to make a packet? … The black market in tobacco is booming. "Standardising packs will make them easier to fake and cost taxpayers millions more than the £3bn lost in unpaid duty last year."
However, Cancer Research UK lodged a complaint with the advertising watchdog that it was misleading for the ad to claim that the black market is "booming" and that £3bn was lost in unpaid duty.
The ASA referred to an HMRC report, Tackling Tobacco Smuggling: Building on Our Success, which stated that the "tobacco illicit market had been reduced significantly over the last decade".
The ASA also found that the HMRC used upper and lower limits for estimating losses from unpaid duty – ranging from about £1.2bn to £3bn for cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco. It said that Gallaher's ads do not state that the £3bn figure is not just for cigarettes, which most consumers would expect from reading the ads.
The ASA concluded that the ads were misleading and told Gallaher they must not appear again without changes.
(H/CD)
Gallaher, which markets brands including Benson & Hedges, Camel and Silk Cut, ran two ads in UK national newspapers claiming that government moves to potentially introduce plain, standardised packaging will be a boon for criminals trading in fake cigarettes.
One of the ads reads: "What make it easier for criminals to make a packet? … The black market in tobacco is booming. "Standardising packs will make them easier to fake and cost taxpayers millions more than the £3bn lost in unpaid duty last year."
However, Cancer Research UK lodged a complaint with the advertising watchdog that it was misleading for the ad to claim that the black market is "booming" and that £3bn was lost in unpaid duty.
The ASA referred to an HMRC report, Tackling Tobacco Smuggling: Building on Our Success, which stated that the "tobacco illicit market had been reduced significantly over the last decade".
The ASA also found that the HMRC used upper and lower limits for estimating losses from unpaid duty – ranging from about £1.2bn to £3bn for cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco. It said that Gallaher's ads do not state that the £3bn figure is not just for cigarettes, which most consumers would expect from reading the ads.
The ASA concluded that the ads were misleading and told Gallaher they must not appear again without changes.
(H/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 April 2015
Police Search Tunnels For Nottingham Murder Victim
Police investigating the murder of a 21-year-old man in Nottingham in January 2014 are to search tunnels beneath a former cigarette factory which were destroyed in a fire. Police are continuing to search for the remains of Bogdan Mawrocki, who went missing from his home in Radford at the start of 2014.
Police Search Tunnels For Nottingham Murder Victim
Police investigating the murder of a 21-year-old man in Nottingham in January 2014 are to search tunnels beneath a former cigarette factory which were destroyed in a fire. Police are continuing to search for the remains of Bogdan Mawrocki, who went missing from his home in Radford at the start of 2014.
11 March 2015
MPs To Vote On Plain Cigarette Packaging
MPs will vote later today, Wednesday, on the proposed introduction of plain cigarette packaging. If passed, the new law will see cigarettes packaging standardised for all brands, with the brand name accompanied by health warnings and graphic photos.
MPs To Vote On Plain Cigarette Packaging
MPs will vote later today, Wednesday, on the proposed introduction of plain cigarette packaging. If passed, the new law will see cigarettes packaging standardised for all brands, with the brand name accompanied by health warnings and graphic photos.
15 July 2013
Govt Shelves Plans For Plain Cigarette Packaging
The government have announced that plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging have been shelved. In a written statement to MPs, the Department of Health said it wanted more time to study the effect of similar legislation in Australia, after which it will re-evaluate plans for standardised packaging in the UK.
Govt Shelves Plans For Plain Cigarette Packaging
The government have announced that plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging have been shelved. In a written statement to MPs, the Department of Health said it wanted more time to study the effect of similar legislation in Australia, after which it will re-evaluate plans for standardised packaging in the UK.
22 June 2004
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).
15 January 2013
E-Cigarette Company To Test Boundaries Of TV Advertising
The UK’s almost 50-year-old ban on advertising smoking on TV is to be tested as an e-cigarette company plan to launch a controversial advertising campaign telling smokers of the virtues of a product that uses nicotine.
E-Cigarette Company To Test Boundaries Of TV Advertising
The UK’s almost 50-year-old ban on advertising smoking on TV is to be tested as an e-cigarette company plan to launch a controversial advertising campaign telling smokers of the virtues of a product that uses nicotine.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
