What do cereal and tobacco manufacturers have in common?

Walking down the grocery store cereal aisle can be a challenge, especially with kids in tow. Brightly colored cereal boxes with toys and other freebies grab their attention. Cereal manufacturers developed creative and effective ways of marketing toward their most important audience: kids. Unfortunately, tobacco manufacturers are using some of the same tactics to lure kids into trying their products. The tobacco companies claim they are marketing only to adults, but I'm suspicious.

A February 2008 special report outlines how kids are influenced by free giveaways or candy-type flavoring and packaging. R.J. Reynolds' Camel No. 9 promotional giveaways include berry lip balm, cell phone jewelry, cute little purses and wristbands, all in hot pink (see a previous Free & Clear blog post about this topic here). My 9-year-old daughter loves those kinds of things, but I don't know any mature adult that would purchase the product just for the free lip balm.

"R.J." also has new "Orbs, Strips and Sticks," all nicotine laced tobacco products. Interestingly, one of their advertisements features young girl (she doesn't look 18 to me!) with the tobacco packages in the foreground.

Dreams, a line of cigarettes manufactured by Kretek International, Inc., come in candy flavors such as chocolate, strawberry and cherry.

As a Quit Coach with Free & Clear I've talked to many young teen tobacco users. Some try the new tobacco products on the market because of the special flavors or free items that come with the packaging.

As a parent, it's hard enough to prevent kids from being influenced by brightly colored cereal boxes and the free toy inside. It's no wonder why 90% of tobacco using adults started before the legal age.

These are just a few examples of the marketing strategies employed by "Big Tobacco." What's next, free jump ropes?