[Intl-tobacco] Tobacco companies split over tactics on WHO treaty (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Tobacco groups split over tactics on WHO treaty
by Frances Williams / in Geneva Published: October 12 2000 20:14GMT 
Source: Financial Times, Thursday, 10/12/00

Philip Morris of the US and British American Tobacco, the world's biggest
tobacco multinationals, were split on Thursday over tactics in their
common effort to dilute the provisions of a World Health Organisation
anti-smoking treaty.

On the first of two days of public hearings on the WHO's proposed
framework convention on tobacco control, both companies acknowledged
unequivocally that smoking was addictive and dangerous. Negotiations on
the treaty between the WHO's 191 member states begin next week in Geneva.

Philip Morris on Thursday claimed to support a "strong" international
convention curbing tobacco use worldwide, especially measures to
discourage youth smoking. "Sensible regulation of tobacco benefits society
and consumers everywhere," David Davies, vice-president for corporate
affairs, told a news conference, adding that Philip Morris wanted "a
constructive partnership" with WHO.

BAT, by contrast, which also says it supports "sensible regulation" such
as action on youth smoking, reiterated its view that tobacco control
should be left to national governments. Chris Proctor, BAT's head of
science and regulation, accused the WHO of an "imperialistic" approach by
dictating what measures governments should adopt.

Both statements were met with scepticism by anti-smoking campaigners and
by the WHO, which in August published a detailed report on past efforts by
Philip Morris, BAT and others to subvert its tobacco control programmes.
Matthew Myers, of the US-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said
"facts, evidence and actions" belied Philip Morris's words, noting recent
company lawsuits against public health moves to curb smoking in the US.

Derek Yach, who heads the WHO's tobacco-free initiative, said the tobacco
companies were carefully expressing support for weak measures, for
instance on education programmes for children, while opposing those shown
to be most effective in deterring youth smoking, such as higher tobacco
taxes.

Dr Yach said if Philip Morris really believed in a strong convention it
should stop trying to persuade governments to oppose higher tobacco taxes
by propagating the "economic mythology" that this would produce lower
revenues.  Philip Morris's support for a strong convention perhaps
referred to one "written on metallic paper", he said.

The framework convention, due for adoption in 2003, will set out broad
objectives for reducing tobacco use. It will be supplemented by legally
binding protocols on specific measures such as taxation, advertising and
sponsorship, health warnings and reduced subsidies for tobacco growers.