Alicia Keys Gets Criticized by Anti-Tobacco Campaigners

Mon, 28 July 2008 00:05:33 ET

Alicia Keys Gets Criticized by Anti-Tobacco Campaigners
Alicia Keys has received a letter from an organization for Tobacco Free Kids, protesting over her forthcoming musical performance in Jakarta, Indonesia. Alicia is scheduled to sing in the country this Thursday (July 31) under the sponsorship of a tobacco company owned by Sampoerna, a division of tobacco kingdom Philip Morris International.

The sponsorship material for the July 31 concert have been put up around the city. It includes massive billboards which put her face and posters to promote the show.

However, following the critics from the group, the singer has demanded to remove any promotional materials from the company. "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," she says. "As a result, the tobacco company has respectfully withdrawn their sponsorship and all billboards, sign age and other forms of advertising will be immediately removed," she says in a further explanation.