Preventing Tobacco Industry Interference: FCTC Article 5.3 Toolkit (2015)
This toolkit presents a range of issues, policy options, and considerations that each country needs to take into account for purposes of developing country efforts for the implementation of Article 5.3 related to protection of tobacco control measures from interference by the tobacco industry of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). It describes guiding principles, steps for effective Article 5.3 implementation; common practices and motives used by tobacco industry in interference as well as illustrates the toolkit implementation guides including strategic planning, checklist for developing a strategy and for Article 5.3 focal teams. Case study of Philippines is included. The toolkit also provides some policy templates that can assist in the implementation of Article 5.3 and its expected output and impact on policies.
pdf 35.7mb (previous version is available at SEATCA resource center)
Global Tobacco Treaty & Governance: A Role for International Organizations (2015)
The role of IOs, including non-government organizations (NGOs), needs to be examined in the context of a multi-sectoral approach. The actions of these organizations influence state behavior, help transform the processes of international law, mobilize states, and leverage public opinion. Needless to state, IOs play a critical role in increasing awareness of the tobacco industry’s practice of using front groups to further its interests.
End Tobacco Industry Corporate Giving: A Review of CSR in Southeast Asia, 2015
Tobacco companies continue to conduct fake CSR as a tactic to undermine the ban on tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorship. To circumvent the ban, they use their own foundations to fund and advertise these activities. This report provides the latest information on which organisations in the ASEAN region the top 4 tobacco companies have targeted to front their so-called charities.
Tobacco Industry Interference Index
Southeast Asian countries still have a way to go in protecting their policies from interference from the tobacco industry. Non-disclosure of interactions with the tobacco industry, transparency and conflict of interest are all issues to be dealt.
These are the main findings of the Tobacco Industry Interference Index, a world first, released by SEATCA. The Index covers seven countries in Southeast Asia: the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in relation to their as a blueprint for member states in protecting public health policies from the influence of the tobacco industry.
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| 2015 pdf 2.4mb |
2014 pdf 1.5mb |
AmCham Must Stop Championing the Tobacco Industry
Except Brunei, all countries in the ASEAN region have an American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) country chapter that has increasingly become a champion for the tobacco industry. With governments in South East Asia enacting strong regulations and curbing promotional activities of the tobacco industry, AmCham has stepped in to become one of its voices and conduct activities promoting the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry has found a strategic ally in AmCham because it is a high profile business institution, well regarded by governments, is in the forefront of activities involving high-level US state officials’ visits to Asia, and has close relationships with US ambassadors in various countries. Consequently, it has access to top Asian government leadership, thereby making it an ideal avenue for the tobacco industry to promote itself.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Blowing Smoke for Big Tobacco
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, having close ties to the tobacco industry, has been actively derailing tobacco control regulations and undermining life-saving policies in dozens of countries around the world, according to a new report released by a coalition of public interest and health groups.
FCTC Article 5.3 Guidelines Best Practice: The Role of the Public Service Commission March 2015
The public service department of a country has a big role to play in implementing the global tobacco treaty, the WHO FCTC. This document describes how one Southeast Asian Government, the Philippines, has applied the WHO FCTC Article 5.3 guidelines in protecting its bureaucracy from undue influence from the tobacco industry through a Joint Memorandum Circular between the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Health. It is one of a kind and serves as an example of best practice for the region.”
Follow the Money
Presentation of Cynthia Callard, Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada
Presented at World Conference on Tobacco or Health, Abu Dhabi, 17-21 March 2015
Imperial Tobacco Targets ASEAN to Sell More Cheap Cigarettes
Imperial Tobacco, world’s 4th largest transnational tobacco company, sold 294 billon sticks globally in 2014, and its net revenue was US$3.2 billion. Its growth brands increased by 7%. The company plans to increase tobacco sales even more globally, especially in several targeted markets.In the ASEAN region it will be targeting Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.
The company plans to increase sales through strategies such as new pack designs and pricing measures. Imperial has classified Cambodia and Vietnam as “among the world’s leading emerging markets”. In Lao PDR, Imperial already has a monopoly of the market controlling over 90 percent of market share. The table below shows clearly why Imperial is targeting these three ASEAN countries – stick sales are increasing every year and the tobacco industry is assured of profits.
Electronic Cigarettes in Asia : A Review of Promotion and Availability
This report documents how e-cigarettes are promoted in selected countries/ jurisdictions in the region and is intended to inform policy makers on point of regulation in order to deal with the proliferation of e-cigarettes in the market.
Primer on Good Governance and Tobacco Control
This primer makes the case for why tobacco control policies, particularly those geared towards protecting public health policymaking from the tobacco industry, are, in reality, good governance policies.
It is intended for advocates and governments around the world to give them additional tools to be able to implement the life-saving measures enshrined in the global tobacco treaty, formally known as the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Corporate Social IRresponsibility: Tobacco Industry Fails International Standards (2014)
The ISO 26000: Guidance on Social Responsibility is the most comprehensive standard related to social responsibility. However, current practices of TI fail in all principles of ISO 26000, making it impossible to be considered as socially responsible industry.
This report provides details how TI-CSR fails in all principles and core subjects of ISO 26000 as well as recommendations to stop TI-CSR.
De-normalizing the Tobacco Industry Through Effective Implementation of FCTC Article 5.3
The WHO FCTC Article 5.3 is vital in protecting tobacco control policy from interference of the tobacco industry. It is the backbone of the FCTC because the treaty cannot succeed if tobacco industry interference is not rooted out. In order to give Article 5.3 more teeth and clarity, the Parties to the FCTC unanimously adopted guidelines for this article to encourage governments to establish, among other safeguards, measures that limit tobacco industry interactions with government activities, and to put in place public disclosure measures.