|
|
| Search | Site Map |
 |
|
Cuba receives Marlboro Man Award for arguing to remove liability and compensation text from the FCTC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACTS: GENEVA -- For arguing that text on liability and compensation must be removed from the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Cuba has earned the Marlboro Man Award. The award, bestowed by the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT), exposes and challenges countries for espousing treaty positions that benefit the tobacco industry at the expense of public health. According to NATT, the FCTC must unequivocally establish the principle that the tobacco industry is responsible for the harms caused by its products. "In the face of all of the evidence of their misleading and deceptive conduct, it is simply unacceptable to call into question, as Cuba has done, the tobacco industry's responsibiltiy for the disease and death that it spreads around the world. Tobacco corporations impose enormous health, environmental and economic costs on governments and consumers, and drain resources from economically poor countries to a few shareholders and executives in wealthy countries. Liability and compensation measures in the FCTC will be an important step toward tobacco corporations paying the true costs of their deadly business," says Jim Sharman of the Center for Alternative Development Initiatives (Philippines), a NATT member. Many countries believe that the FCTC must have strong liability and compensation provisions to deter transnational tobacco corporations from committing future harms, and to punish corporations for their egregious behavior in the past. On the opening day of the final round of talks, champions from the African, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islands and Eastern Mediteerranean regions made clear their resolve to negotiate a treaty that will curb the tobacco epidemic. In addition to liability and compensation, measures such as a comprehensive advertising ban and the prioritization of health over trade earned vocal support. The winner of the Marlboro Man Award will be announced each day by NATT. Yesterday's award went to Ambassador Luiz Felipe de Seixas Corrêa, the Chair of FCTC negotiations. The award is named after Philip Morris's notorious advertising icon because of the Marlboro Man's central role in spreading tobacco addiction globally. The image was designed by its creator as "the right image to capture the youth markets fancy&a perfect symbol of indepedence and individualistic rebellion." Philip Morris has ridden to the top of the industry on the strength of the Marlboro Man advertising and promotional campaign, which has made Marlboro the world's leading cigarette brand. ### The Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes 75 NGOs from more than 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. NATT members at INB6 include: Center for Alternative Development Initiatives (Philippines), Consumers Association of Malawi, ConsumerVOICE (India), Environmental Rights Action (Nigeria), Infact (US), National Council Against Smoking (South Africa), Sindicato Medico del Uruguay, and Zambian Consumers Asscociation.
|
|
