Posted by pixies chick at 1cust251.tnt2.minneapolis3.mn.da.uu.net on July 31, 2002 at 11:23:55:
Got an article from a health journal at work that includes graphs and quotes from Phillip Morris and Brown & Bigelow -- brilliant, sheer devious genius.
Seems these companies strategized a different brand of cigarette and marketing campaign for each stage of life, and for different demographic groups. No surprise there, right. Then they figured out a way to target the particular stressors people were experiencing throughout their life changes and worked it so that at each one, the amount the individual smoked would go up. For example, in the post-college years, white collar kids would be experiencing stress in their new jobs and could be induced to smoke to relieve their anxiety and re-experience happier times with their school friends.
Empty nesters? Market a lower tar, low nicotine cigarette with an image of health. (Otherwise they'll quit smoking when he image of the previous cigarette no longer fits their new lifestyle).
Teens? Independence, decisiveness, rebellion.
Nothing new, but it sure is odd to read the documents talking about how each of these campaigns will encourage people to smoke more.