Expose the Deceptive Tactics of Tobacco Companies

Most people are aware that tobacco and tobacco products are extremely harmful to human health. Yet millions remain addicted to this deadly substance. Tobacco addiction leads to a wide range of fatal diseases including various cancers, stroke, heart attacks, asthma, and diabetes—significantly increasing the risk of premature death. However, many people are still unaware of the full extent of the harm caused by smoking and smokeless tobacco. Even those who do know often cannot quit due to the intense grip of addiction.

A major lawsuit in the United States revealed internal documents from tobacco companies that exposed a disturbing reality: even after knowing the deadly consequences of tobacco, these companies deliberately target young people to sustain their business for generations. Their tactics include setting up cigarette shops labeled as “eye-level” for children, placing advertisements within children’s line of sight in stores, and illegally promoting smoking through dramas, films, OTT platforms, and social media.

It is crucial to understand that over 90% of smokers worldwide begin smoking during their teenage years—a phase marked by curiosity, impulsiveness, and risk-taking. During this age, individuals are often unaware of the long-term harm caused by tobacco use. Tobacco companies exploit this vulnerability by portraying smoking as a symbol of “smartness” and maturity, encouraging youth to emulate adult behavior.

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Currently, one person dies every 4 seconds due to tobacco-related causes, amounting to more than 8.7 million deaths per year. Among them, over 1.3 million die from secondhand smoke exposure—most of whom are children.

Let’s take a closer look at the deadly consequences of tobacco and smoking:

The most common forms of tobacco use globally are cigarettes and bidis. Their smoke contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals—including nicotine, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia. Out of these, 250 are highly toxic and more than 70 are known to cause cancer in different parts of the body.

All tobacco products contain nicotine, an extremely addictive substance. In fact, nicotine addiction can be stronger than addiction to alcohol, heroin, or pethidine. This is why individuals addicted to tobacco experience repeated cravings and must consume nicotine regularly to satisfy their dependence—even if they know the risks.

In conclusion, the tobacco industry’s tactics are not only unethical but dangerous. Their efforts to hook young people early in life ensure continued profit at the cost of public health. It’s vital that individuals, families, and governments work together to resist this manipulation, educate the public—especially the youth—and enforce strict regulations on tobacco marketing and distribution.

Author: Legal and Policy Analyst; Treasurer, Save the Environment Movement; Moderator, Stop Tobacco Bangladesh.