Details

23 mins, 2010

Multinational companies are aggressively marketing cigarettes to young people in developing countries, with tragic social costs. This film explores the case of Indonesia – the third largest market for tobacco products in the world.

HUMAN COSTS: “If I’d known I’d get this disease I would have quit a long time ago.” Ujang has terminal lung cancer. At 45, he is the victim of a habit, which is killing millions in his country. Targeted by the tobacco industry’s relentless, high-powered marketing, Indonesians start young and die young.

MARKETING: Most Indonesians don’t believe that smoking is bad for their health and the industry shamelessly cashes in on their ignorance. The marketing strategies of cigarette companies play a major role in a massive national habit. Among men, almost 70% light up every day – about 80 million smokers.

CORPORATIONS: Pressure groups attack the behaviour of giant tobacco companies like Philip Morris and British American Tobacco as a blatant breach of corporate social responsibility. Internal Philip Morris documents reveal the company’s strategy: they want to entice young Indonesians to sample their deadly wares – and get them hooked.

DVD EXTRA: “Profits Before Health?” – interview with a representative of anti-smoking charity ASH.

Key Topics

• Multinational Companies
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Marketing
• Health
• Developing World