Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo by José Goulão, CC BY-SA 2.0.
What was the Accusation?
In July 2008, singer Alicia Keys faced criticism over tobacco-industry sponsorship and advertising connected to her July 31 concert in Jakarta, Indonesia. Promotional billboards for the concert prominently displayed Keys alongside the logo and branding of A Mild, a cigarette brand produced by Sampoerna, an Indonesian affiliate of Philip Morris International. The concert was promoted as an “A Mild Live Production.” Anti-smoking organizations argued that Keys’ participation allowed her name and image to be used to market cigarettes, particularly to young people in Indonesia.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other public-health advocates urged Keys to require the withdrawal of the tobacco sponsorship or withdraw from the concert. Critics also pointed to a perceived contradiction between the cigarette promotion and Keys’ advocacy on behalf of children through charitable work. Keys responded that she had not intended to endorse smoking and had requested “corrective actions” after learning how the concert was being advertised. She apologized for the misleading advertising, emphasized her commitment to children’s health, and stated that she did not condone or endorse smoking. Philip Morris International/Sampoerna subsequently withdrew its sponsorship and tobacco-related branding, and the concert proceeded without the cigarette logos that had generated the controversy.
