Black Devil ads mislead public
A cigarette marketing campaign that draws a connection between its tobacco products and the trade in illegal drugs has left authorities fuming as the Development Ministry requested yesterday advertising authorities to pull down the billboards. The General Secretary for Consumers has called on the Association of Advertising and Communications Companies (EDEE) to terminate the campaign used to promote Black Devil cigarettes imported from Holland. The slogan draws a connection between its brand name and a slang word used for hashish, hinting that the illegal substance is freely available in the country. The advertisement creates the impression that drug substances are being legally traded, the General Secretary for Consumers said. Kiosks have carried the advertising panels, often on their rooftops tents, for the last few months but authorities only yesterday made the decision to act on the marketing campaign. The cigarettes are produced by Dutch company Heupink & Bloemen.
