WHO urges countries not to work with the tobacco industry

The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning countries against attempts by the tobacco industry to interfere in the development of public policies to combat smoking and vaping.

In a statement issued on May 3, 2023, the WHO expressed concern about the continued attempts by industry and third parties acting on its behalf to influence scientific research, public and media perception, and policymaking in order to ensure the development of its tobacco and nicotine product markets.[1].

"There is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the tobacco industry and those of public health policy," explains the UN organization. "WHO urges all Member States to ensure that they do not partner with the tobacco industry or its front groups or accept funding from them." The Organization points out that the tobacco industry has for decades denied the link between its products and the development of cancers in smokers, as well as the impact passive smoking on the health of non-smokers.

Anti-tobacco campaign: the new guise of cigarette manufacturers

Today, when the dangers of tobacco to health and the environment can no longer be disputed, the WHO denounces manufacturers' attempts to promote their new products, whether heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, or other nicotine-based products that specifically target children and young adults. The WHO is warning countries even more so because manufacturers are promoting these products by emphasizing their desire to create a "tobacco-free world."

In this way, tobacco companies are also trying to influence anti-smoking policies by developing relationships with governments and health institutions. The Armenian president received the vice president of Philip Morris on April 18, 2023, with the announced goal of the latter participating in the country's anti-smoking efforts in order to achieve a smoking rate of 5% by 2040, compared to 28% in 2022.[2]The WHO insists that: "The tobacco industry should not be a partner in any initiative related to the definition or implementation of public health policies, knowing that its interests are fundamentally irreconcilable with public health objectives."

The links between tobacco industry lobbies and policy makers are also at the heart of debates in Europe. The European Ombudsman had called the European Commission and its members to order for their interactions deemed to go "beyond strictly necessary relations." The lack of transparency regarding these discussions, such as the absence of reports, was notably in violation of the transparency provisions in the texts of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty.

In the face of these threats of interference, the WHO points out that effective tobacco control policies are contained in the FCTC, which countries have ratified with a few exceptions. Finally, it emphasizes that the implementation of these measures and the cooperation developed between countries have already helped protect more than 5 billion people from the health and environmental consequences of smoking.

HD

[1] WHO and tobacco control partners urge countries not to partner or work with the tobacco industry, WHO, May 3, 2023

[2] World's largest cigarette maker fights smoking in Armenia, The Armenian Courier, April 21, 2023