Joss Stone accused of endorsing ‘Big Tobacco’ firm at Indonesian festival
Exeter singer Joss Stone has been accused of supporting a ‘Big Tobacco’ firm by performing at an Indonesian music festival sponsored by one of the country’s largest cigarette companies.
Joss is among three British singers accused of furthering the aims of "Big Tobacco" by performing at the Indonesian music festival Java Jazz.
Multi-platinum selling Stone as well as Craig David and Lisa Stansfield performed at the Festival this week as part of the event which is attended by up to 100,000 people in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
All three stars were due to perform on the stage promoting ‘Kreteks’ cigarettes, one of the Djarum’s company’s leading brands.
Get 10% off your GAP insurance with ALA.co.uk using the promotional code LW10
Contact: 01653 916304
Valid until: Wednesday, June 18 2014
Campaigners called on the trio to withdraw from the festival, accusing Indonesia of failing to crack down on tobacco advertising and the stars of glamourising smoking.
Amanda Sandford, research manager for Action on Smoking and Health, said:
“For decades the tobacco industry has used sponsorship to promote its brands to impressionable young people. Most countries have now banned this and in response, the industry has focused on exploiting the lack of regulation in countries like Indonesia.
“The fact that musicians and entertainers are willing to take Big Tobacco’s money adds to the problem.We call on all entertainers to make a public commitment not to accept tobacco money and to withdraw from any existing contracts.”
The news comes as officials in Indonesia are preparing to introduce new legislation to limit the advertising of tobacco products and ban related companies from sponsoring music and sporting events.
Joss grew up near Cullompton and her mum currently owns music venue ‘Mama Stones’ in Exeter.
Video: Joss Stone performing at this year’s Java Jazz Festival
2 Comments
by GlassPrison
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 10:04AM
“And again, a TOTALLY pointless story, who cares....!”
by flyingdandy
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 3:21PM
“So the news article is about "musicians" playing at a concert sponsored by BIG TOBACCO yet they embed the full video? Does that mean that the thisisexeter website is being sponsored by them? and agree about smoking?”