Oasis ‘Benson & Hedges’ CD pack sparks ASH backlash
Oasis’ Gallagher brothers are in trouble again: this time for borrowing the design of tobacco company Gallaher’s Benson & Hedges cigarette packet for their latest boxed CD.
The notorious band have now fallen foul of the anti-smoking lobby. ASH claims the boxed set, which includes the song “Cigarettes and Al- cohol”, will appeal to young people and could be in breach of the voluntary agreement between the Government and the tobacco companies.
Gallaher has had no involvement in the production of the set, which carries a spoof health warning: “Rock ‘n’ roll can seriously damage your health” in similar lettering to the Benson & Hedges packet.
But as part of the voluntary agreement, tobacco companies must “actively discourage” the manufacturers of “other goods” likely to appeal to young people from associating their products with tobacco brand names or designs.
An ASH spokeswoman says: “It shows how inadequate the agreement is. We need a comprehensive ban on all of tobacco advertising and promotion to close these loopholes.”
A Gallaher spokesman concedes the company does have a responsibility to discourage products bearing its design, but adds: “This box has nothing to do with us.”
