Beyoncé Ad Draws NAATPN Response

The National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN), along with the National African American Tobacco Education Network (NAATEN), will respond to a billboard and newspaper ad featuring Beyoncé Knowles using an old-fashioned cigarette holder. The ad, promoting an April concert in Melbourne, Australia, has drawn attention from anti-tobacco groups concerned about its effect on Blacks and young people. The image was taken from the back of Beyoncé's album cover.

The Australian newspaper Herald Sun reported on February 20 that Australian anti-smoking group Quit has written to the Federal Department of Health, saying the tour ad could be in violation of Australia’s Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act. According to the Herald Sun, Quit Executive Director Todd Harper said the advertisement could be seen to be promoting and giving publicity to a smoking product, which is against the law.

NAATPN, NAATEN, and partnering American groups sent a letter to the address below, urging her to promote a positive message in light of the 47,000 Blacks who die annually from smoking-related diseases. NAATPN invites its members and other interested parties to write letters. Beyoncé's contact information is below.

Beyoncé Knowles

            Columbia Records
            550 Madison Ave., 26th Fl.
            New York, NY 10022
            212-833-8000 (phone)
            212-833-8536 or 212-833-5401 (fax)
 
 
Music World Entertainment

           Matthew Knowles
            9898 Bissonnet St., Ste. 625
            Houston, TX 77036
            713-772-3034 (fax)

Kimberly Kimble (B-Day Album Hair Stylist)
           
            Epiphany Hair Studio
            1106 N. LaCienega Blvd.
            West Hollywood
            ( 310) 652-1822
            http://www.kimblehaircare.com

Yvette Noel-Schure

           Sony Urban Music
            Senior Vice President, Media
            550 Madison Ave., 26th Fl.
            New York, NY 10022
            212-833-4483
            Yvette_noel-schure@sonymusic.com
 
Sony BMG Entertainment

           Rolf Schmidt-Holts, CEO and Director
            550 Madison Avenue
            New York, NY 10022-3211
            Phone: 212-833-4000 or (8000)
            Fax: 212-833-4818
 
Francesca Tolot (B-Day Make Up Artist)

           The Clouthier Agency
            1026 Montana Avenue
            Santa Monica, Ca 90403
            Phone: (310) 394-8813
            Fax: (310) 394-8863
           http://www.cloutieragency.com
           laposte@cloutieragency.com