Webinar: Overcoming Tobacco Industry Interference to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

On Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. (Paris time), a webinar in English will be held on the solutions to overcome tobacco industry interference in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This webinar is jointly organized by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) And the STOP monitoring body.

The webinar will provide an opportunity to discuss new opportunities to promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Based on the Framework Convention (FCTC) of the World Health Organization (WHO), he will also discuss how to protect public policies from interference from the tobacco lobby.

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals are incompatible with those of the tobacco industry. The industry's products continue to kill up to 8 million people annually, and the tobacco trade results in a net loss to the global economy. The tobacco industry remains the biggest obstacle to the adoption of essential measures to reduce tobacco consumption under the FCTC, the implementation of which is enshrined in SDG Goal 3.

Partnerships or cooperation between the tobacco industry and political, health, or civil society actors allow the tobacco industry to whitewash its image, gain legitimacy, and credibility to influence public policy and advance its interests. Such practices also distract from the major damage it causes to health and sustainable development.

Recognizing the importance of strengthening FCTC implementation to achieve the SDGs and SDG 3A in particular, public health advocates encourage all actors to refuse any rapprochement with industry and to apply public policy safeguards, in accordance with Article 5.3 of the FCTC.