Big Tobacco's last entryways into the talks gets eliminated
"The tobacco industry is the single largest barrier to tobacco control policies globally - and these negotiations were no exception," said Michel Legendre, associate campaign director at Corporate Accountability. "We applaud the delegates that stood up to the industry and staunchly rejected their rhetoric. It is thanks to them that governments have now adopted precedent-setting measures that will protect millions of people's lives."
Governments not only eliminated Big Tobacco's last entryways into the talks, but they also expanded the treaty's firewall policies that protect public health policy making from the influence of emerging industry tactics. The adopted policy includes language to expose and counteract tactics like the Philip Morris International-funded foundation, and it called on all institutions to reject any proposed partnership, among other measures.
"Big Tobacco will stop at nothing to try to undermine the lifesaving measures of the treaty," said Dr. Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan, a delegate for Thailand. "Today, we made great strides to keep the industry where it belongs: outside of the talks and away from public health policy."
"This deadly industry may claim it's turning a new leaf, but we aren't falling for its latest scam," said Behzad Valizadeh, a delegate for Iran. "Big Tobacco tries to confuse, sow doubt, and derail policy with its PR stunts, but governments around the world are rejecting its attempts."
Unveiling a new frontier of tobacco control: Liability
Governments also called on the global tobacco treaty secretariat to fulfill its commitment and provide governments with the necessary resources to hold the tobacco industry civilly and criminally liable for its abuses - potentially unveiling a new frontier of tobacco control.
"Soon, governments will have the tools they need to make Big Tobacco pay," said Dr Reina Roa, Planning director of the Panama Ministry of Health. "Liability actions will unlock unlimited potential to transform the way this industry, and other corporations operate globally."
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