WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- U.S. recording artist Alicia Keys set a good example by refusing tobacco sponsorship for her concert in Indonesia, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says.
Keys reportedly demanded the withdrawal of tobacco industry sponsorship of Thursday's concert in Jakarta.
The anti-smoking group's president, Matthew L. Myers, issued a statement praising Keys and urging other musicians and entertainers to follow her lead.
"We applaud Ms. Keys for taking quick action to disassociate herself from the tobacco industry and to prevent her name, image and talent from continuing to be used to market cigarettes to children," Myers said in the statement. "It is critical that the tobacco company involved, Philip Morris International/Sampoerna, and concert promoters immediately end the sponsorship and all tobacco-related marketing and branding associated with the concert. We call on all involved in the music and entertainment industry, including performers and promoters, to follow Alicia Keys' example and adopt policies of rejecting all tobacco sponsorship and other tobacco promotions. We also call on tobacco companies to immediately cease all such sponsorships and promotions."
