JAKARTA ~ Tobacco giant Philip Morris has pulled its sponsorship of an Indonesian concert by US soul singer Alicia Keys after pressure from anti-tobacco campaigners, its local affiliate said.

Indonesian cigarette producer Sampoerna said in a statement it has decided to take down advertisements labelling Keys’ Jakarta concert an “A Mild Live Production.” A Mild is a popular brand of Sampoerna cigarettes.

US-based pressure group Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has called on tobacco sponsorship to be withdrawn for the Keys concert, saying cigarette advertising promoted smoking among children.

“Connected to the request from American organization Tobacco-Free Kids… Sampoerna has decided not to use our product, A Mild, in the promotion of this event,” the statement said.

“Sampoerna continues to be committed to marketing activities and events to adult smokers,” it said.

Philip Morris acquired a 98-percent share in Sampoerna, Indonesia’s largest cigarette producer, in 2005.

Indonesia is one of the most profitable tobacco markets in the world.

More than 60 percent of Indonesian men smoke, while cigarette firms are stock market leaders.