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Anti-Tobacco groups expose industry over pretence of protecting farmers
Friday, 05 November 2010 18:37
By Kemo ChamAs state parties warm up for its biennial meeting on the global tobacco treaty in Uruguay, the African Tobacco Control Consortium (ATCC) has raised alarm against deceptive tactics of tobacco multinationals’ aimed at hindering the adoption of effective guidelines on Article 9 & 10 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
ATCC is a coalition of global and African public health organizations focused on preventing the tobacco epidemic in Africa. Its effort is however been strongly countered by the powerful tobacco industry.
In recent months an organization claiming to represent tobacco growers worldwide has been publicly lobbying against items on the agenda of the Fourth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the FCTC (COP4) in Uruguay. The International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA), a public relations vehicle created by the tobacco industry in the 1980s to champion its lobbying efforts against international tobacco control initiatives, has directed its energy on draft guidelines that call on member states to “restrict or prohibit” flavorings added to tobacco. These flavorings make tobacco more palatable, especially to young smokers and potential smokers.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has added its weight in efforts to counter the fight against the effect of the deadly substance by calling on its 19 member states to oppose what it calls “a ban on non-tobacco ingredients used in producing cigarettes”.
ITGA argues that, if adopted, the guidelines on flavorings would effectively ban burley, a type of tobacco popular in "American-style‟ cigarettes. Burley is grown widely in the developing world. They are trying to convince farmers that the guidelines would have a catastrophic impact on their jobs and livelihoods by resulting in a shortage in the demand for leaves.
In countering this point, Laurent Huber, Director of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), said: “What the ITGA fails to mention is that burley cigarettes continue to be sold in countries that are already restricting tobacco flavorings.” FCA is a global alliance of more than 350 civil society organizations working for the FCTC.
“It is also a fact that the economies of countries dependent on tobacco for foreign exchange, such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, have remained poor and suffering economic woes. Tobacco farming does not alleviate poverty,” Huber added.
The African Tobacco Control Consortium strongly encourages African Parties to the FCTC to resist any attempt by the tobacco industry to manipulate them. ATCC therefore calls on all African delegates heading to COP4 to support the adoption of the draft guidelines on Articles 9 and 10 without change.
From 15-20 November, Uruguay will host the Fourth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the FCTC, which now has 171 Parties, representing 89% of the world’s population.
The African Tobacco Control Consortium is a coordinated effort to reduce tobacco use in Sub-Sahara Africa. Managed by the American Cancer Society, partners include the Africa Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI), Framework Convention Alliance (FCA - AFRO region), Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
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