Forty-two of the apps were from the Android store. Together, they had been downloaded six million times.
The most popular Android apps were those that simulate smoking. The apps let users smoke a virtual cigarette and produce visual effects of the cigarette being burned and smoked. Some of the simulation apps claim to aid in quiting smoking.
Armando Peruga said the names of some of the apps are very misleading.
“These apps -- which are, the study identified about a hundred seven of these pro-smoking apps -- are classified under names such as health and fitness and just…games which are very misleading, and anyone can access, especially young kids.”
The Australian researchers believe these pro-smoking smartphone applications violate the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The convention bans all advertising and promotion of tobacco products in the media, in countries that have signed the treaty. The researchers say the app stores have a moral -- and possibly legal -- responsibility to honor the convention and other laws that ban the advertising of tobacco products to young people.
The report on pro-tobacco smartphone applications was published in the journal Tobacco Control.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25