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Tobacco companies exploit women, says WHO

Lynn Eaton , London

Tobacco companies are exploiting women's struggle for equal rights by creating the impression that tobacco makes women more confident, more sexually attractive, and more in control of their own destiny, a World Health Organization (WHO) report has claimed.

The industry is also making inaccurate health claims that certain cigarettes are "light" or "mild," according to the WHO's report. In some countries the tobacco companies are sponsoring beauty pageants, sports and arts events, and even women's organisations to influence young women to use tobacco.

A WHO spokesperson said that Ligget-Ducat, one of Russia's largest cigarette manufacturers and which is now owned by Gallagher, has recently sponsored a "La Femme Woman of the Year" competition to promote its "La Femme" brand. The competition was to find the woman who had made the greatest lifetime achievement to Russian society, and it was won by 65 year old actress Lyudima Gurchenko. And in the United States, cigarette manufacturers Philip Morris and R J Reynolds have provided sponsorship for various women's organisations, including the National Women's Political Caucus and the Center for Women Policy Studies.

Tobacco related diseases, already rising among women, will increase even further unless countries implement measures to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and limit aggressive tobacco advertising campaigns, the WHO said.

"Secondhand smoke is an important women's issue," said Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, the WHO's director general. "Women everywhere are exposed to secondhand smoke and suffer serious health consequences because of it. In the Asian region, where on average more than 60% of men are smokers, this means millions of women and children suffer from secondhand smoke. We must do everything we can to protect women and children's rights to a safe and health environment."

Pregnant women have a higher risk of miscarriages and give birth to low weight babies who are prone to infection. Smokers are also more likely to experience primary and secondary infertility, delays in conceiving, an increased risk of earlier menopause, and lower bone density.

It is estimated that, globally, 12% of women smoke, compared with 48% of men. In some countries the proportion of women smokers is as high as 24% and women are dying of smoking related diseases just as men are.

Women and the Tobacco EpidemicChallenges for the 21st Century is accessible at http://tobacco.who.int/documents/WoMonograph01.pdf

(Credit: PANOS/MARC SCHLOSSMAN) In some countries, tobacco companies are sponsoring women"s organisations