The tobacco industry is shifting its focus to courting new female customers in developing countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control s Global Adult Tobacco Survey. The AP reports that while 80 percent of the world's estimated 1 billion smokers are men ¦ more women are picking up the habit in some countries as flavored products and glossy feminine packaging cater to them.
While we re making slow but steady progress reducing smoking in Europe and North America, the Asian market for cigarettes is exploding, says Dr. Ross sadly. Obviously we have no regulatory reach over there, and with the cigarette makers sensing that the markets in North America and Europe are declining, they re vigorously pursuing opportunities in developing countries.
