The 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar this
weekend on November 20th and FIFA, WHO and
authorities in Qatar
have made significant efforts to ensure it will be
tobacco-free. Tobacco sponsorships aren’t permitted and stadia
hosting the matches will be smoke-free.
However, we know the industry sees
opportunity in large, young audiences. In countries around the
world where football fans are watching, we expect tobacco
companies will try to exploit interest in the World Cup. This
may include tactics such as:
-
Joining the
conversation on social media with posts expressing
support for national teams, players, or excitement about the
competition.
-
Promoting
tobacco industry involvement in football at the local
level, such as ownership or sponsorship of club or
youth development teams.
-
Advertising products during or
immediately after match broadcasts on TV, radio or online.
-
Sponsoring
World Cup coverage on TV, in print and
online media outlets.
-
Launching
football / World Cup-themed product
promotions like special cigarette packs or advertising,
price promotions or “Get ready to watch the match” product
bundles that include tobacco.
-
Sponsoring
and/or placing booths or running product
promotions where groups of fans gather to watch matches in
public places like parks where giant screens are erected, or
even in café's or bars showing matches.
If you spot any tobacco industry activity
related to the World Cup, please
share the evidence with STOP, providing brief details
and pictures/ links if possible at:
https://exposetobacco.org/speak-up/
Or
https://tobaccotactics.org/talk-to-us/
and we’ll call it out, where we can.
In the meantime, read more about tobacco
industry sponsorship of football on
TobaccoTactics and
listen to the recording of last
week’s Twitter Spaces event, hosted by WHO, for more about:
➡️the tactics the industry uses
to reach football fans
➡️why sports & tobacco
don’t mix
➡️why all countries should
enjoy #tobacco-free sport.
Thank you for your help in holding the
industry accountable for trying to reach sports fans!
Sincerely,
Sarah
Hughes (she/her)
Partnership
Manager
STOP, a
tobacco industry watchdog
s.hughes@exposetobacco.org
www.exposetobacco.org
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