On 18 December 2011, a press briefing on “Tobacco industry interference in tobacco control policies” was held in Cairo, Egypt, launching the theme for the 2012 World No Tobacco Day, which takes place on 31 May.
The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean called on participants to form a united front against the tobacco industry’s strategies and tactics to undermine tobacco control policies.
What does the tobacco industry do?
What can we do?
What does the tobacco industry do?
Falsely claims corporate social responsibility.
Attempts to weaken tobacco control legislation.
Engages in multisectoral alliances within governance structures to protect its interests.
Challenges science and legitimate messages from scientific quarters.
Manipulates the media.
Uses public relations, lobbying, front groups, artificially created grassroots movements, intimidation and other tactics designed to gain control of the public agenda.
What can we do?
Regulate the activities of the tobacco industry using strong national legislation.
Fully implement the guidelines of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Monitor, counter and document the practices of the tobacco industry in the following areas:
tobacco product regulation, including implementation of health warnings
tobacco-free public places policies
school-based activities
sports-based activities
direct and indirect advertising, including movies and drama
agricultural activities, including expanding tobacco planting.
On 18 December 2011, a press briefing on “Tobacco industry interference in tobacco control policies” was held in Cairo, Egypt, launching the theme for the 2012 World No Tobacco Day, which takes place on 31 May.
The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean called on participants to form a united front against the tobacco industry’s strategies and tactics to undermine tobacco control policies.
What does the tobacco industry do?
What can we do?
What does the tobacco industry do?
Falsely claims corporate social responsibility.
Attempts to weaken tobacco control legislation.
Engages in multisectoral alliances within governance structures to protect its interests.
Challenges science and legitimate messages from scientific quarters.
Manipulates the media.
Uses public relations, lobbying, front groups, artificially created grassroots movements, intimidation and other tactics designed to gain control of the public agenda.
What can we do?
Regulate the activities of the tobacco industry using strong national legislation.
Fully implement the guidelines of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Monitor, counter and document the practices of the tobacco industry in the following areas:
tobacco product regulation, including implementation of health warnings
tobacco-free public places policies
school-based activities
sports-based activities
direct and indirect advertising, including movies and drama
agricultural activities, including expanding tobacco planting.
