Death Marketing-1

Philip Morris' Promotional Strategy amid Pandemic

The multinational company Philip Morris has started widespread promotional campaign at points of sale (POS). The company has been distributing leaflets with the price of per Marlboro stick written on large fonts. To tempt the retailers, it has included the retail prices of tea and water to the leaflets. As an instance of outrageous irony, PMI leaflets are also advising people to follow health guidelines during coronavirus pandemic. According to WHO, smokers are more likely to get infected by novel coronavirus and to get severely ill once infected due to low lung capacity. The Smoking and Tobacco Products (Usage) (Control) Law, 2005 bans any direct or indirect commercial activities that encourage the use of tobacco and tobacco products and considers it as a punishable offence. Such clear violation of law amid ongoing pandemic would put public health in even greater danger. So, all promotional activities of tobacco companies must be put to an end as soon as possible.