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Ferdinand under fire for tobacco-linked ad

Footballer Rio Ferdinand has been criticised for appearing in an advertising campaign linked to an Indonesian tobacco company.

In the creative, the Manchester United player sports a jersey featuring Indonesian tobacco brand Gudrang Garam’s logo. The campaign appears on billboards and TV, promoting the Gudrang Garam sponsored Intersport channel.

Gudgran Garam’s tobacco products are notable for being flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, and are alleged to be popular with children. It is one of the largest tobacco companies in the country.

Tobacco advertising in Indonesia is largely unregulated with tobacco brands often being involved in the sponsorship of sports and music festivals. The country has the third highest number of tobacco consumers in the world after China and India.

Gudrang Garam’s Intersport internet channel broadcasts Premier League football matches in Asia.

David Hing, London