Tobacco companies aim to mislead governments at global tobacco control treaty conference

Marysol Astrea Balane

Media Officer

Health Justice Philippines

Tel: 09178509212

Email: marysol.balane@gmail.com

MANILA, October 11, 2014 – Tobacco companies are attempting to mislead governmentsaround the worldand influence proceedingson key tobacco control measures in time for the 6^th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The Financial Times recently wrote about leaked documents from the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC) inviting representatives from ministries of finance worldwide to a meeting that will allegedly ensure a balanced approach to tobacco taxation issues. ITIC is funded by major multinational tobacco corporations.

“This planned meeting is a brazen move by the tobacco industry to mislead governments worldwide and promote tobacco industry positions on taxation, knowing that it is the single most effective measure to lower tobacco consumption” according to Irene Reyes, Managing Director of HealthJustice Philippines. “In addition, if there are government representatives that will attend this meeting organized by ITIC, it shows the need for stricter measures to implement Article 5.3 of the FCTC, which aims to protect against interference of the tobacco industry in tobacco control.”   

The draft implementationguidelines on tobacco taxation are part of the agenda of the global tobacco control conference that will be held from October 13 to 18 in Moscow.

Japan Tobacco International, in a separatestatement, also questioned the decision by the COP to exclude the tobacco industry from the conference, stating that the industry can bring expertise to the table that can contribute to the development of policies.

“It is clear that the industry wants to be a part of the conference to sway States Parties toadopt decisions that are favorable to them. Whether it’s through setting up a side meeting to influence government representatives or questioning COP decisions andrules outright, they are doing their best to get in, and health advocates must do theirbest to keep them out and thereby safeguard public health policies,” said Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Framework Convention Alliance.

The WHO meanwhile has sent a warning letter about the ITIC meeting, reminding delegates about their obligations not to let the tobacco industry interfere with tobacco control laws.

To view the Financial Times article mentioned in the press release please click the following links:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/1aab8e5e-4ca7-11e4-90c1-00144feab7de.html#axzz3FWseZttM

http://seatca.org/tobacco-lobby-aims-derail-tax-increases/