Hey guys, I saw this from another Forum:
Philip Morris sponsorship of rock concert violates law--DoH
By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:02:00 08/06/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DoH) said Philip Morris International Inc. has violated the Philippine tobacco law by sponsoring a rock band concert.
The DoH and other health groups were “exploring possibilities” of filing charges against the cigarette firm for sponsoring the Eraserheads Reunion Concert on August 30.
Philip Morris chief executive officer Louis C. Camilleri confirmed in a letter dated July 30 that the company will sponsor the concert, said Dr. Maricar Limpin, chairperson of the Council on Tobacco or Health and Air Pollution.
But Camilleri argued the concert was by “invitation only” and open only to adults who have registered online to Marlboro’s mailing list or the “Red List,” Limpin said, quoting the tobacco executive’s letter addressed to Matthew Myers of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFC).
“Invitations cannot be purchased and are not transferable. Controls will be in place at all entry points to the event to ensure that only persons with invitations are allowed to enter and to verify that they are adults by double checking their government-issued IDs,” Camilleri said in his letter.
Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla said Philip Morris violated Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which prohibits tobacco advertising from sponsoring events like concerts.
Section 26 of RA 9211 states that starting July 1, 2008, cigarette manufacturers are “prohibited from sponsoring any sport, concert, cultural art or event, as well as individual and team athletes, artists, or performers where such sponsorship shall require or involve the advertisement or promotion of any cigarette or tobacco company, tobacco product or tobacco use, name, logo or trademarks and other words, symbols, designs, colors or other depictions commonly associated with or likely to identify with a tobacco product.”
Limpin said Philip Morris’ marketing strategy is “treachery at its worse” since one has to be a smoker or claim to be one in order to watch the concert.
“Even if Philip Morris does not put its brand name on any poster, billboard or material related to the Eraserheads concert, the public knows that to watch the concert, one has to be a member of the Marlboro Red List,” Limpin said.
To be included in the mailing list, one has to specify his or her brand of is cigarette, Limpin said, adding the online applicant also needs to submit contact information where Philip Morris can send promotional materials.
The DoH, the CTFC and other groups appealed to members of Eraserheads to reject Philip Morris’ sponsorship of the reunion concert.
“Considered one of the most influential bands in the country, Eraserheads has become a role model of sorts for our young, I hopes they will rise up to the challenge, do more than play music and help young Filipinos reach their potential—which they cannot achieve when they’re ill, or worse, dead,” Limpin said.
Padilla on the other hand, called on the organizers of the concert to “disassociate” themselves from products which are “killers.”
“Heed the law and help veer the youth to more productive activities,” Padilla said.
I think it also says a lot why there's no action on the Marlboro site.
I suggest we circulate this news article and make our voices heard about the concert NOT being a violation of the Tobacco Regulation Act so the concert can push through as planned.
