The real objectives behind the Tobacco and Alcohol industries CSR programs
The event involved discussion about the industries CSR tactics. Prof. Prakit Vathesatogkit, ASH Thailand, talked about CSR tactic that it is a tool that help create “good feelings” among the public. And despite the fact that many people will believe that the CSR programs are implemented with good intentions by the industries. The fact remain that the industries still continue to produce harmful products.
Dr. Lakkana Termsirikulchai, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol Univeristy expressed her gratitude to see that youth today have opportunity to learning more about the Tobacco and Alcohol industries’ tactics. She emphasized that such event will hopefully decrease the number of youth smokers (there are approximately 200,000 new smokers each year). Nowadays, cigarettes have become more accessible through the Internet, not to mention the CSR programs that try to portrait the industries as being responsible to the public.
Danai Wangbunchai, University of Thai of Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that a good CSR programs should cover all the aspects of social responsibility. However, some company does only little work but concentrate more on the publicity of the program, this is what we called “CSR Cosmetic”. For an alcohol company to come out and said, “drink responsibly” is conflict itself. So these are the things that we as consumer should watch out for.
Dr. Bungah Chaisuwan, each company is aware that CSR programs are good source of publicity for them. They use the campaign to create the image that they contributing to the good of the society.
Dr. Piyarat Nimpitakphong, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University. “According to the Tobacco industry internal documents, companies are utilizing CSR as tool for building good imagine as well as buying ‘public silence’”. You will see in the VDOs of schools showing their appreciation to the tobacco company. The CSR program has obviously created some sort of royalty to products that obviously killing its customers.
Dr. Nita Rhunkasaem, Faculty of Management, Phranakonr Rajabhat Universtiy. Study show that CSR program in Alcohol industry often result in strong brand royalty. Our research shown that alcohol sale reach 400,00 bottles in 15 minutes after a particular brand supported a sport event.
Kittipot Autthavichien, Editor in Chief of BE magazine. Working in the field of media, he often spotted CSR activities being published in magazines. It’s true that magazine need money to support its existence, however as a journalist we need to consider whether the activity being promoted is ethnically correct. We have to be careful about the message we are passing on to the readers, especially the youth.
Suphajon Klinsuwan, Host of the show “English Breakfast” on ThaiPBS channel. I turned by back on cigarettes and alcohol since I was born. Once I heard that cigarette company pay for the stored to place their products in places where children can steal them easily. The store owners will be compensate for the lost products. As I learned more about the CSR programs, I understand the true intention behind these schemes. I’m glad that youth today will get the opportunity to learn the truth.
Jiraporn Kamolrungsan, Pakdee Gang coordinator. The objective of our group is to stay away as far as possible from tobacco and alcohol products. It is very important that youth today understand the tactics of tobacco and alcohol industry. To find out more about us go to facebook/gangpakdee.
Natnicha Sripo, Cig Buster Club coordinator. Tobacco industry uses media as tool to bring in new consumer, especially the young customers. Cigs Buster Club was established as a watchdog for the activities that can be harmful to the youth. We welcome everyone to join our cause, for more details go to facebook/cigbuster.
Participants of this event were hoping that the media could convey the messages to the people especially the youth. It is very crucial that the government take lead in looking after the people from the industries’ manipulative tactics.