How do Tobacco Companies Hook Women? Extensive Study Reveals Sophisticated Market Research

Associated Press ^ | May 31, 2005 | Michael Kunzelman

[at bay]

The worldwide smoking rate among women is expected to rise 20 percent by 2025, the report says.

BOSTON (May 31) - Tobacco companies did elaborate research on women to figure out how to hook them on smoking.

Researchers at Harvard University's School of Public Health said they examined more than 7 million documents - some dating back to 1969, others as recent as 2000 - for new details about the industry's efforts to lure more women smokers.

''They did so much research in such a sophisticated way,'' she said. ''Women should know how far the tobacco industry went to exploit them.''

The report, published in the June issue of the journal Addiction, says tobacco companies looked for ways to modify their cigarettes to give women the illusion they could puff their way into a better life.

One of the documents, a 1987 internal report from Philip Morris, extolled the virtues of making a longer, slimmer cigarette that offered the false promise of a ''healthier'' product.

''Most smokers have little notion of their brand's tar and nicotine levels,'' the report states. ''Perception is more important than reality, and in this case the perception is of reduced tobacco consumption.''

Carpenter said they found at least 320 documents that focused on women's smoking patterns, including a 1982 report from British-American Tobacco Co. that said women buy cigarettes to help them ''cope with neuroticism.''

''We can safely conclude that the strength of cigarettes that are purchased by women is related to their degree of neuroticism,'' the report stated.

Worldwide smoking rates among women are expected to increase 20 percent by 2025, ''driven by the growth of female markets in developing countries,'' while men's smoking rates are steadily declining, the Harvard report says.

[at bay]

Wait! Isn't this a great civil rights issue? They make it sound like women have no free will once they're hooked. All the proud lionesses who post here I'm sure weren't exploited and manipulated by these fine tobacco companies.

[Enterprise]

"All the proud lionesses who post here I'm sure weren't exploited and manipulated by these fine tobacco companies."

LOL - running for cover - and making some popcorn.

[prion]

They make it sound like women have no free will once they're hooked.

Don't be silly. They have no free will before they're hooked, either. All us proles are just milling about out here waiting for someone to tell us what to do; advertising, news media, our peers, Rush Limbaugh. Shoot, didn't you hear? John Kerry would be president if they'd just "gotten their message out" last year.

[aBootes]

All the proud lionesses who post here I'm sure weren't exploited and manipulated by these fine tobacco companies.

Sorry, not a smoker. And although blonde, definately not dumb enough to be swayed by the appearance of a cigarette.

[jtminton]

I've found that if you make a woman feel pretty, thin, and young you can convince them to do anything.

[Monterrosa-24]

Phillip Morris competes against RJ Reynolds and they use marketing to give potential women customers what they want. I see nothing remotely scandalous here. Coca Cola uses the same techniques in its fight against Pepsi.

[Toddsterpatriot]

How do Tobacco Companies Hook Women?

[bayourod]

"women buy cigarettes to help them ''cope with neuroticism.'' "

I always though it was to give them something to do while I fell asleep.

[Gabz]

Phillip Morris competes against RJ Reynolds and they use marketing to give potential women customers what they want. I see nothing remotely scandalous here. Coca Cola uses the same techniques in its fight against Pepsi.

Exactly.....in fact all companies do it to enlarge their market share - whether it be directed at women or otherwise.

I really don't understand what the big deal is...........oh that's right, it's tobacco and EVERYTHING they do is wrong................sheesh.

[sittnick]

Now, let me get this straight. The tobacco industry gets women hooked on smoking by promoting a long, skinny cogarette that is suggested to be less harmful.

How does that get anyone to try the product?

For instance, I do not watch soccer on television. If the soccer institute decided to run an ad campaign proclaiming that watching soccer would not induce fatigue and boredom. I still wouldn't tune in, and certainly not for $2-$4 dollars per session!

As far as women using cigarettes to self-treat "neuroticism," heck, maybe it does! That has nothing to do with any tobacco ad campaign I've seen! The nicotine nazis are reaching.

P.S. Not a smoker, never have been. But they are going after my bacon cheeseburger next.

[Gabz]

How does that get anyone to try the product?

You're right - it doesn't. The marketting is for market share - keeping customers and enticing others to try their product.

P.S. Not a smoker, never have been. But they are going after my bacon cheeseburger next.

Yes they are - and many of the names on the list of nicotine nasties are the same as the names on the list of the food police.

[at bay]

The journal "Addiction" is run by nicotine nazis? Who woulda thunk!

[Chunga]

I can't read the rest of the article because the links aren't working for me.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Phillip Morris competes against RJ Reynolds and they use marketing to give potential women customers what they want. I see nothing remotely scandalous here. Coca Cola uses the same techniques in its fight against Pepsi.

I see nothing scandalous, either. Companies pay marketing and advertising firms millions of dollars every year to figure out the best way to manipulate people of both sexes into buying their products.

I've always found it fascinating that many women seem to smoke only when they drink. Anyone else notice that?

[at bay]

Just go to aol.com

[sittnick]

The journal "Addiction" is run by nicotine nazis? Who woulda thunk!

If the best example the writer can come up with for inducing women who do not smoke to smoke is the introduction of a long, skinny cigarette back in the early '80's, the writer either has an agenda, is looking for any shred, ANY, to get an article published, or both. And yes, Nicotine Nazis may be just as attracted to writing for "Addiction" as 2nd Amendment Defenders are attracted to writing for "Guns and Ammo."

[meyer]

Caveat Emptor - let the buyer beware.

Marketing/sales never forces anybody to do anything.

[Gabz]

I've always found it fascinating that many women seem to smoke only when they drink. Anyone else notice that?

Yes, and it is even more prevalent today than in the past. I have also noticed an increase in the number of men doing the same.

[CSM]

Yep, the evil corporations trying to make millions off the backs of the little guys. That dang capitalism needs to be destroyed!

[SheLion]

Yep, the evil corporations trying to make millions off the backs of the little guys. That dang capitalism needs to be destroyed!

They scream they want a smoke free everything, but guess who they turn to when they need to balance state budgets and/or build another $175,000 golf course?! You guessed it: the smokers!