NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY
Monday, April 9, 2012
University of California Office of the President
Contact: Phillip Gardiner, Dr. P. H.
Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program
(510) 987-9853
Legislative briefing, April 19, on tobacco research findings: Predatory Marketing by the Tobacco Industry – Luring our Children to Addiction
Studies funded by the UC-administered Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) find that the tobacco industry continues to target children, especially those in African American neighborhoods.
On Thursday, April 19, TRDRP scientists, who have studied the marketing practices of the tobacco industry, will present their research at a legislative briefing in Sacramento.
In one investigation, Lisa Henriksen of Stanford University found that school neighborhoods were more likely to have lower prices and more advertising for Newport cigarettes, a menthol cigarette, as the proportion of African American students rose. The same was true of neighborhoods with higher proportions of children aged 10 to 17. These data confirm previous research that showed the tobacco industry is preying on youth. Henriksen’s study, first published in June 2011, followed the FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee’s findings that banning menthol would be beneficial to public health.
Robert Lipton of the University of Michigan, who has studied the effect of tobacco outlets on California school children, will also present his research. Other speakers at the April 19 briefing will be: Carol McGruder, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), who will comment on the impact of this type of marketing in the African American Community; Michael Ong (UCLA), chair of the Tobacco Education Research Oversight Committee, who will moderate the panel; and Phillip Gardiner, UC Office of the President, who will discuss the role of the TRDRP.
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. PDT
Thursday, April 19, 2012
WHERE: UC Center, Sacramento, 1130 K Street, Lower Level Conference Room
Materials: Materials will be available during the briefing and upon request. Please contact Phillip Gardiner, Dr. P. H., TRDRP (510) 987-9853
About the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program:
TRDRP supports research focusing on the prevention, causes and treatment of tobacco-related disease and the reduction of the human and economic costs of tobacco use in California.