British American Tobacco (BAT) is launching its first web site
which could exploit loopholes in proposed UK and European Union laws
banning tobacco ads.
BAT is positioning the web site (www.bat.com) as a source of corporate
information and facts on the tobacco industry. New UK laws based on an
EU directive ban advertising, including internet ads, of tobacco
products.
Fran Morrison, head of external communications at BAT, said: ’BAT.com
does not aim to advertise or sell its brands.’ However, the site
includes a section providing information on key BAT brands, such as
Lucky Strike and Rothmans.
The site is an attempt by BAT to address negative views of the tobacco
industry. It portrays BAT as a large provider of jobs that works to
reduce underage smoking and contributes to the environment by planting
large numbers of trees.
The site also outlines BAT’s views on marketing tobacco and discusses
issues around smoking and health.
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