|
|
| Search | Site Map |
 |
|
GLOBAL TOBACCO TREATY GAINS GROUND DESPITE POWERFUL INDUSTRY INTERFERENCE For Immediate Release: Contacts: GENEVA--Tomorrow will conclude the first week of the global tobacco treaty's first Conference of the Parties (COP), a two-week meeting where governments will determine critical details for enforcement of the world's first corporate accountability treaty. Formally known as the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the treaty aims to reverse the tobacco epidemic by changing the way tobacco corporations operate around the world. Members of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) commend Parties for standing up to Big Tobacco by moving forward with one of the treaty's most central provisions: the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. NATT members have documented numerous attempts by tobacco corporations to derail negotiations, ratifications, and now implementation of the global tobacco treaty. They are urging COP delegates to be wary of new tobacco industry tactics, like Philip Morris/Altria's and British American Tobacco's (BAT) infamous agreement with Mexico. Still, the NGOs remain optimistic. "Thailand, South Africa, and India are leading the way," says Corporate Accountability International Executive Director Kathryn Mulvey. "As the 122 governments that have ratified put a stop to tobacco promotion, the world should be on track to reach the WHO's goal of saving 200 million lives by 2050." Thai health officials report 3,200 branches of 7-Eleven convenience stores to be alone among the country's 500,000 retailers violating a newly revised ad ban. Thailand's 14 year old tobacco advertising ban served as a model for the global tobacco treaty's ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Thai health officials recently revised the ban, to close loopholes identified and exploited by tobacco corporations like Philip Morris/Altria through "point-of-sale" advertising. Officials have evidence that Philip Morris/Altria continues paying 7-Eleven to put up special displays in designated locations. With an average of 1,000 customers per day visiting the chain's more than 3,200 Thai stores, 7 Eleven has been one of the main retail outlets for Philip Morris/Altria's point-of-sale advertising. Philip Morris/Altria has a powerful commercial interest in 7 Eleven's continued violation of the ban. Formal complaints against 7-Eleven are being reviewed by Thai authorities. "Thailand is committed to enforcing a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship," explains Dr. Hatai Chatanondh, one of the authors of Thailand's advertising ban and the country's lead delegate to the COP. "We hope other countries will learn from Philip Morris's dirty tricks in Thailand, preemptively close the point-of-sale loophole, and quickly begin to enforce their own ad bans." "Public health and corporate accountability advocates around the world will continue to challenge Big Tobacco's attempts to sabotage this life-saving treaty," says Akinbode Oluwafemi of Environmental Rights Action, Nigeria. "Despite BAT's aggressive attempts to derail the global tobacco treaty in Nigeria, our government officials have ratified and are moving ahead with enforcement. As a result, lives of future generations of Nigerians will be saved." Developing countries are the main target for expansion by tobacco giants Philip Morris/Altria, BAT and Japan Tobacco International. If current trends continued, tobacco would claim 10 million lives per year by 2030, with 70% of these preventable deaths occurring in the Global South. At the first COP, developing countries are expressing the need for financial and technical support for treaty implementation at the national level. The COP has yet to grapple with one of the toughest issues: designating a permanent secretariat that is accountable to the COP, fully funded and free from influence by non-parties and the tobacco industry. Consensus is growing in favor of meaningful participation by NGOs in the COP, with measures to prevent interference by the tobacco industry. --30-- Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world. For over 25 years, we've forced corporations--like Nestlé, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria--to stop abusive actions. Corporate Accountability International, an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played a key role in development of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes more than 100 NGOs from over 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable FCTC. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org. NATT members attending COP1 include Consumer Information Network (Kenya), Corporate Accountability International, Environmental Rights Action (Nigeria), Indian Society Against Smokcfing, and Zambia Consumers Association.
|
|
