Prior to her performance in Jakarta, the R 'n' B singer received lots of protest from anti tobacco organization because the promotions for her gig are endorsing cigarettes to people.
- July 28, 2008
AceShowbiz -
Just before staging her scheduled gig in Jakarta, Indonesia, Alicia Keys was caught in a little problem regarding the upcoming concert's promo. The trouble occurred after the ad for her upcoming gig was being protested by an organization, Tobacco Free Kids who accused that the posters for the concert's ad is promoting cigarettes to youngster.
The organization wrote a protest letter to Alicia herself, stating that the sponsorship materials for her upcoming gig seems to put her as the face and representative for a cigarette product, A Mild. "The sponsorship materials for the July 31 concert include massive billboards ringing the city which effectively make your face and name part of a tobacco advertisement for 'A Mild' cigarettes," the letter read.
Soon after receiving the letter, the R 'n' B singer takes an immediate action by sending an investigation team to check it out. Confirming her reaction Alicia said, "When I was informed that my July 31 As I Am concert in Jakarta, Indonesia was partly sponsored by a tobacco company, I immediately asked for an investigation and that corrective actions be taken. "
Moreover, the singer also confirmed that now the controversial promo ad has been handled saying, "As a result, the tobacco company has respectfully withdrawn their sponsorship and all billboards, signage and other forms of advertising will be immediately removed." Not only that, Alicia also apologizes to all the people for "any misleading advertising initially associated with the show" and confirmed that she does not support or endorse smoking.
