Pop stars join EU campaign against smoking

Date: 07/11/02

WHAT do Moby, Sophie Ellis Bextor, the A-Teens and Loona have in common?

Yes, they're all pop stars. But, more importantly to the European Commission, they all 'Feel free to say no' - to cigarettes.

These non-smoking celebrities are among more than 15 pop acts who star in anti-smoking advertisements aimed at teenagers.

The Commission-sponsored commercials will air on 38 TV channels, plus some 5,000 cinemas in all member states, and on MTV Europe.

'The credibility of these non-smoking music stars supports the message 'Be cool - don't smoke' among their audiences,' said Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne.

'It is well-known that eight out of ten people who smoke start when they are between 12 and 18 years old,' he added.

According to a Eurobarometer survey published last month, 37% of EU citizens aged 15-24 smoke regularly. And the World Health Organization has found that the number of young smokers is on the rise in all member states.

The advertisements will vary across Europe to take account of differing degrees of popularity of the various acts.

This will be the second series of commercials produced as part of a wider anti-tobacco campaign that began on 31 May under the heading 'a tobacco-free World Cup' and featured well-known footballers.

The overall budget of the three-year campaign is €18 million. The current leg, to be launched tomorrow (8 November), also includes print, radio and billboard advertising. Byrne said he was pleased to see so many pop stars 'teaming up with the EU'.

In parallel, a Commission proposal to curb tobacco advertising is being discussed in the European Parliament.