Kool Promo Criticized for Appealing to Youth
A promotional campaign by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.'s
Kool cigarette brand, which offers a free radio with a two-pack
purchase, is being criticized for targeting youth, the Richmond
Times-Dispatch reported June 16.
The "Kool Mixx" package features hip-hop and rap music
images. "The hip-hop, the posing -- that is geared toward young
people," said King Salim Khalfani, executive director of the
Virginia State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People.
After numerous complaints from several states and a national anti-smoking
group, Brown & Williamson agreed to remove the Kool Mixx packages
from store shelves.
"It is our understanding Brown & Williamson agreed to
stop the objectionable marketing practices well in advance of the
complaint letters from the states," said Tim Murtaugh, spokesman
for Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore. "We reserve the
right, if they do not satisfy their agreement, to pursue civil action."
The company denies that the promotion violates the 1998 nationwide
tobacco settlement with U.S. states, which bans marketing cigarettes
to minors.
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