#SponsoredByBigTobacco: protecting kids from social media marketing of tobacco and nicotine

About This Project

Summary

Big Tobacco uses social media to target young people around the world with cigarette and e-cigarette advertising to addict the next generation of consumers. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and creative agency Grassriots partnered to implement a campaign to raise global awareness and call on governments to block social media advertising of these deadly products. Our global campaign produced innovative digital materials and mobilized public health advocates around the world.

Goals & Objectives

The goal of the campaign was to make sure delegates to the WHO tobacco control treaty adopted guidelines helping countries block social media advertising of e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes. We published a report, targeted social media ads, got media coverage and mobilized international advocates.

Results & Impact

Our campaign paid off when Parties to the World Health Organization treaty adopted guidelines helping them block social media marketing of products like e-cigarettes around the world. The Guardian article based on our report resulted in international media coverage that influenced treaty delegates.