Tobacco companies are among the richest and most powerful in the world. In 1997 the four major American tobacco companies, Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard reported profits of $7.8 billion. That's a lot of money! So much, that the tobacco industry has lots to share with people who are willing to help them trap new customers and hold onto the ones they already have.

Why do they want kids as new customers?

About 90% of smokers start by the time they are 18. The companies know that if they don't get kids to light up while they are young, they most likely never will.

Children are so important to the tobacco industry that they've done research on them using hidden cameras, interviews, and psychological tests to find ways to get them to smoke.

How much does the tobacco industry spend on advertising and promotions in the US each year?

5 billion dollars, that's 16.5 million everyday.

Their investment pays off.

It's estimated that 947 million packs of cigarettes worth $1.26 billion are sold illegally to children under 18 every year. These products generate $221 million in profits for the tobacco industry.

How do they trap kids?

• They pay store owners to keep tobacco products on or in front of the counter, so that they are easy for kids to get.
• They pay actors, and actresses to smoke on the screen. The companies trick kids into thinking that smoking is cool and that most people light up. They want kids to think, "If so many people smoke, how can it be bad for you?" (The truth is about 24 adults out of every one hundred smoke.)
• They provide kids with promotional items like lighters, hats, and shirts. (About 50% of kids who smoke, own some type of promotional item.)
• Their advertisements are directed to kids and can be found everywhere....in magazines, street corners, inside stores and on their windows. (Te tobacco companies place most of their ads in locations that are close to junior and senior high schools.)
• They contribute large sums of money to our legislators.

The tobacco industry lies, adds nicotine to its products to keep its customers trapped, and targets children. Isn't it time they were stopped?