Big Tobacco's Marketing Strategies Used to Promote Ultra-Processed Foods, Journal Reveals
A recent issue of the American Journal of Public Health has highlighted the use of marketing strategies by big tobacco companies to promote ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These strategies, originally developed to sell cigarettes, have been adapted to drive the consumption of UPFs, which are linked to various health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and cognitive decline. Experts, including Cindy Leung from Harvard, have noted significant health risks associated with diets high in UPFs, including increased risks of dementia and cognitive impairment. The journal reveals that companies like RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris have applied their cigarette marketing tactics to UPFs after acquiring food companies like Nabisco and Kraft. These tactics include optimizing product formulations for rapid consumption and creating products that encourage repeated purchases. 
