British American Tobacco Sensitive to Public Opinion

British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced that they have instructed their Advertising Agency to paint out the London branding on both the Kaneshie Market in Accra and the Kejetia Market in Kumasi, because of mixed reactions to their advertisement at the Kaneshie Market.

A press release signed by Mr. Kofi Selby, Marketing, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director, said contrary to the erroneous impression created through the media, BAT has not flouted any law on advertising. Furthermore, they have for the past 20 years not advertised their brands on radio, television and in the newspapers.

BAT said their mass media communication is limited to outdoor only, and it carries the Ministry of Health warning clause to advise adults who make a choice to smoke of the associated health risks. As a manifestation of their position that minors should not smoke, they recently launched a Youth Smoking Prevention campaign and advocated for passing of legislation against sale of cigarettes to minors.

"Being a member of the Ghana Advertisers Board, we are guided by the Board's Code of Advertising Practice.

In line with British American Tobacco's commitment, we are also in the process of implementing the recently adopted "International Tobacco Products Marketing Standards" and will be fully compliant by September this year," the release said.

BAT said they welcome the recently inaugurated National Steering Committee for Tobacco Control and assured it of their preparedness to work together.