Alicia Keys Puts the Kibosh on Smoking Ads at Her Concerts
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
A cigarette brand has withdrawn their promotional activities at an Alicia Keys concert in Indonesia, after the singer protested their involvement.
A Mild cigarettes, which are made by Philip Morris International, were sponsors of her show in Jakarta. When Alicia learned of this, she requested that the company withdraw their sponsorship.
“I am an unyielding advocate for the well-being of children around the world and do not condone or endorse smoking,” she said.
The company obliged, saying “Whether tobacco sponsorship of music events leads to youth smoking is a matter of serious debate. Having considered the facts in this specific instance, we have decided to withdraw all branding associated with this concert.”
And speaking of smoking — I have had a lot of false starts and stops, but I’m currently going on day five smoke-free! It’s the farthest I’ve gotten with non-smoking in awhile, so I’m hopeful. Plus, my mom is coming to visit on Friday, and there’s no way I’m going to start smoking again with her here (she’ll kill me much faster than the tar ever would), so I figure I’ll get at least a week and a half under my belt by the time she leaves. And that’s a LONG time without a cigarette when you’re basically a lifelong smoker like me. Keep your fingers crossed! (Oh, and I have to give a shout-out to my grandfather, who has relentlessly been shipping me packages with quit-smoking materials, like twice a week since he called me to announce himself as my “quitting buddy,” even though he’s never smoked in his life. I love you, Grandpa!!!)
