INDUSTRY LIED ABOUT KIDS AND CARS [08/14]

The tobacco industry lied when it claimed that only 3% of those attending automobile races -- where cigarette advertising is rampant -- are children.

Actually the figure is at least five times as high, and that data comes from the survey which the tobacco industry used and misrepresented.

In formal comments filed last year in opposition to an FDA proposal that would prohibit Marlboro, Winston and other tobacco brand names from sponsoring automobile races, the Tobacco Institute claimed that a survey showed that only 3% of those attending such races were children.

The actual data from that very survey, however, shows that 15.5% of those attending car racing events are age 12 to 17.

Here's what the survey found:

* children between the ages of 12-17 are nearly twice as likely to attend a stock car race as the average American;

* 18.3% of those attending stock car races (including NASCAR) were between the ages of 12-17;

* 13.7% of those who watched stock car races on TV were between the ages of 12-17

* 13% of those who watched all auto races on TV were between the ages of 12-17;

* 32.9% of those who listened to stock car races on the radio were between the ages of 12-17;

* 27.6% of those who listened to all auto races on the radio were between the ages of 12-17.

It must be noted that the survey did NOT include children under 12 years of age, although it is quite likely that many of them -- like their somewhat older brothers and sisters -- likewise attend, watch, and listen to auto races. If this group had been included in the survey, the percentages would have been substantially higher.

"Kids idolize race car drivers. The actual survey results blow a hole in another tobacco industry myth," said Matthew L. Myers, executive vice president and general counsel for the Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids, the group which released the information.

ASH - ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH 2013 H Street, NW / Washington, DC 20006 / (202) 659-4310