International Resource Center

22 Dec 2011

The tobacco industry denies that its marketing is targeted at young non-smokers. A new systematic review of 19 longitudinal studies by the Cochrane Collaboration concludes that exposure to tobacco advertising and promotion increases the likelihood that adolescents will start to smoke.

22 Dec 2011

With Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signing a comprehensive tobacco control law this week, Brazil has taken historic action to protect its more than 190 million citizens from the deadly toll of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.

30 Nov 2011

A new study in Tobacco Control confirms that raising the price of tobacco will effectively reduce youth consumption. The study provides an estimate for the price elasticity of demand for youth in low and middle income countries, estimating that a 10% increase in cigarette prices would reduce youth smoking prevalence by at least 7.4%. In addition, such price increase would reduce the average number of cigarettes consumed by continuing young smokers by 13.7%.

15 Nov 2011

Mexico saw a surge in tobacco tax revenues from January through September 2011, according to the finance ministry — the result of a 2010 hike in tobacco taxes that industry opponents had claimed would increase smuggling and lose revenue.

28 Sep 2011

In an apparent attempt to lure young smokers, China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC) is sponsoring at least 100 elementary schools in China. CNTC financed construction of these schools, which are named after Chinese cigarette brands and sometimes bear slogans such as "Talent comes from hard work, Tobacco helps you become talented." Many of the schools also feature the company's logo of a green tobacco leaf.