Tobacco Advertising in Russia

The effects of advertising are often questioned by the viewers and the producers. Does it really work? Is all the money and time and creation invested really worth it?

According to the recent stats taken from the tobacco advertising occuring in Russia, the answer is a resounding yes.

"Russia is fertile ground for tobacco companies," according to worldlungfoundation.org. "The country has the highest smoking rate in the world."

It is reported that 60.2% of Russian men smoke, and 21.7% of women smoke. The World Lung Foundation accredits this all to the "carefully planned, aggressive, inventive tobacco industry promotion strategy."

Initially, the intend of advertisers was not considering women to be the potential consumers of their product. In fact, early on smoking was seen as promiscuous, immoral, and even an indication of low social standing.

Today, it's just the opposite.

Over 70% of girls in Moscow admitted to have tried smoking.

And the advertising industry just continues to capitalize on it.

Now, tobacco companies sell cigaettes in packs that could be easily mistaken for perfume, candy, and other products that "particularly appeal to young women."

As results continue to come back positive, indicating advertisers efforts are working, their campaigns of 'youthful feminized marketing' will continue.

At the rate things are going, Russians may soon repeat the trend of the 1950's: half of all billboards and three-quarters of all plastic bags - covered in cigarettes.

For more information visit:
http://www.worldlungfoundation.org/ht/display/ViewBloggerThread/i/17944/pid/5832