Stereophonics urged to quit festival

PRESSURE is mounting on Welsh rockers the Stereophonics to pull out of a music festival in Indonesia sponsored by the tobacco industry.

Anti-smoking and children’s charities today criticised the band for agreeing to play the Java Rockin’ Land festival next month. The three-day event is sponsored by the Gudang Garam cigarette company, one of the four largest tobacco companies in Indonesia.

Ash Wales said there are few controls on smoking in the island nation and the tobacco industry flouts any government regulations by distributing free cigarettes to concert goers.

Tanya Buchanan, chief executive of Ash Wales, said: “We urge the Stereophonics to demand the withdrawal of tobacco sponsorship and any associated branding from the festival or alternatively to pull out.

“These actions would send a powerful message that the band is concerned about the health of Indonesia’s children and that they will not allow the band’s name, talent and popularity to be used to market deadly and addictive products to children in Indonesia or anywhere else.”

 

Advertisement