Statement of Matthew L. Myers
President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Washington, DC (November 22, 2008) –Nations meeting in Durban, South Africa this week have unanimously adopted international standards for implementing the international tobacco control treaty that mandate health warning labels that cover 50 percent or more, and no less than 30 percent, of tobacco packaging and feature graphic images of health conditions caused by tobacco. Nations have also adopted standards to protect tobacco control public health policies from tobacco industry interests. Additionally, standards were adopted that call for governments to implement bans on all tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorships. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids commends the Parties to the treaty – called the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – for taking these important steps to address the global tobacco epidemic.
Strong health warnings and advertising bans are critical components of a comprehensive approach to reducing tobacco use and saving millions of lives worldwide, as are strong standards to help prevent industry interference in government implementation of tobacco control measures and policy-making processes. Because the tobacco industry sells a product that will lead to disease and premature death in fully half of its users, the industry’s interests are fundamentally in conflict with nations’ public health and economic aspirations.
These measures have been proven by a substantial body of evidence to help reduce tobacco use and curb the leading preventable cause of death today. They are especially effective when implemented in tandem with other interventions mandated by the treaty, such as raising the price of tobacco products through higher taxes and implementing smoke-free laws that require 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and public places. The 160 Parties to the treaty are legally obligated to implement these measures.
Specifically, the international standards adopted this week call on nations to:
· Require large, clear, visible and legible warning labels on tobacco packaging. These labels should contain graphic images of health conditions caused by tobacco use, and should cover 50 percent or more, and no less than 30 percent, of the pack. The health warnings should also rotate so consumers do not become accustomed to any specific warnings. The standards on packaging and labeling also call for banning the use of false, misleading and deceptive terms or labels that give the impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than any other tobacco product. This includes terms such as “low tar”, “light” and “mild” that have been proven to be meaningless.
· Implement comprehensive bans of all tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorships. Bans should extend to all indoor, outdoor and electronic media and prohibit tobacco companies from using tobacco brand names, logos, or visual brand identities on non-tobacco products, activities, or events. Bans on sponsorship should prohibit tobacco companies from contributing to events or activities – such as concerts and sporting events – with the likely effect of promoting a tobacco product or tobacco use.
· Establish measures to limit tobacco industry influence on public health policies, and ensure the transparency of any interactions. Additionally, the standards require that any information provided by the tobacco industry be transparent and accurate. Partnerships with the tobacco industry in any initiatives linked to public health policy should not be allowed, and activities considered “socially responsible” should be strictly regulated. These so-called responsible actions are no more than a marketing tactic by the tobacco industry to project a positive image of itself despite the deadly nature of its products.
Scientific studies have found that prominent health warnings lead to greater awareness of health risks of tobacco use and an increased desire to quit. Studies also show that comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotions, and sponsorships are particularly effective at reducing tobacco use among young people. Partial advertising bans, such as restrictions on billboards, only allow tobacco companies to find new ways to market their products. Each year, the tobacco industry spends billions of dollars throughout the world on advertising, sponsorships and other forms of promotion. These tactics are often targeted at specific groups such as women and youth.
Tobacco use killed one hundred million people in the 20th century, and if current trends continue, it will claim one billion lives in the 21st century, according to the World Health Organization. Tobacco use already kills 5.4 million people a year and the epidemic is worsening, especially in the developing world where more than 80 percent of tobacco-caused deaths will occur in the coming decades. By effectively implementing the proven tobacco control measures called for by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, nations can reverse the tobacco epidemic and save countless lives.
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Based in Washington , DC , the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a leader in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its devastating consequences in the United States and around the world. As part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, the Campaign works with governments and non-governmental organizations in promoting and implementing public policies to reduce tobacco use. Visit www.tobaccofreecenter.org.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
BAT in Malawi, Nigeria and Mauritius
BBC exposes British American Tobacco's violation of youth code in Africa
A recent investigative BBC documentary by Duncan Bannatyne exposes how British American Tobacco through its activities in Nigeria, Malawi and Mauritius is breaking is voluntary marketing code and encouraging African children to smoke. The documentary, "Bannatyne Takes On Big Tobacco", was aired on 1st July on BBC. It was later renamed, "Exposed : Africa's Child Smokers" and aired on the BBC World on 19th and 20th July can be viewed here.
Below is an article about the documentary published on the BBC website.
Tobacco giant 'breaks youth code'
Campaigners say young people are attracted to single cigarettes
A British tobacco giant is breaking its own marketing code covering the sale of cigarettes to young people in Africa.
An investigation for the BBC has found evidence in Nigeria, Malawi and Mauritius of rules being broken. In particular, BBC Two's This World found single cigarettes - which campaigners say are attractive to young people - were being promoted and sold.
The company involved, British American Tobacco (BAT), says it does not encourage the sale of single "sticks".
During the investigation carried out for BBC Two's This World programme, British businessman Duncan Bannatyne also discovers tactics used by BAT which circumvent bans on advertising and raise the profile of cigarettes in countries where doctors are warning of a potential epidemic of smoking-related diseases.
In Malawi, the programme found evidence of the London-based tobacco firm providing sponsorship for a music event, which was held at a venue that had no formal age checks on the door. This breaks BAT's own marketing code.
Chris Proctor, head of science and Regulation at BAT, told the programme that: "If that was the case, that is disappointing, it's certainly not what we would wish to happen." Celebrities had also appeared at the music event wearing Embassy and Pall Mall branded goods. Lavish events
WHO predicts smoking-related deaths in Africa will double within 20 years
Campaigners say that such events - which often feature competitions offering lavish prizes - are succeeding in making cigarettes attractive in a country where less than 10% of the population smoke and where smoking is still considered taboo.
BAT's marketing code acknowledges that single cigarettes are particularly attractive to young people, who may not be able to afford a whole packet of cigarettes.
The company claims it does not promote the sale of single sticks on this basis. Yet in Mauritius, Mr Bannatyne discovers special pots which BAT has distributed to shops to make it easier for them to sell single cigarettes.
In Malawi and Nigeria, he discovers posters that BAT has produced depicting single cigarettes and showing the price of a single cigarette.
BAT's Mr Proctor said existing posters advertising single sticks would not be used after June 2008. And he said that the pots to promote single sticks should have been withdrawn.
Flouting bans The programme features children as young as 11 who are buying the single cigarettes and are already developing a nicotine habit.
Dr Sunil Gunness, a cardiac surgeon in Mauritius, reports a huge rise in smoking-related diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the number of smoking-related deaths in Africa is 100,000 a year, but that that figure is set to double in the next 20 years.
The programme shows clear evidence of BAT flouting existing bans on advertising. In Mauritius, where cigarette advertising is banned, BAT has painted shops the same colour as Matinee, one of their leading brands.
One shopkeeper told the programme that BAT painted it for him to advertise its cigarettes three years ago. That is six years after the ban on advertising was introduced in 1999. Mr Proctor conceded that the shops should not have been painted by BAT.
"There were a series of shops that had been painted a yellow, the same colour as one of our brands there," he said. "We had a look at it recently. It wasn't against the law but it didn't look right, so we have been back in there and we've been making sure those are repainted."
Mr Proctor said the company would be looking at the issues raised by the programme. Duncan Bannatyne described BAT as "the unacceptable face of British Business".
Bannatyne takes on Big Tobacco: This World is broadcast on Tuesday 1 July on BBC TWO at 2100BST.
A recent investigative BBC documentary by Duncan Bannatyne exposes how British American Tobacco through its activities in Nigeria, Malawi and Mauritius is breaking is voluntary marketing code and encouraging African children to smoke. The documentary, "Bannatyne Takes On Big Tobacco", was aired on 1st July on BBC. It was later renamed, "Exposed : Africa's Child Smokers" and aired on the BBC World on 19th and 20th July can be viewed here.
Below is an article about the documentary published on the BBC website.
Tobacco giant 'breaks youth code'
Campaigners say young people are attracted to single cigarettes
A British tobacco giant is breaking its own marketing code covering the sale of cigarettes to young people in Africa.
An investigation for the BBC has found evidence in Nigeria, Malawi and Mauritius of rules being broken. In particular, BBC Two's This World found single cigarettes - which campaigners say are attractive to young people - were being promoted and sold.
The company involved, British American Tobacco (BAT), says it does not encourage the sale of single "sticks".
During the investigation carried out for BBC Two's This World programme, British businessman Duncan Bannatyne also discovers tactics used by BAT which circumvent bans on advertising and raise the profile of cigarettes in countries where doctors are warning of a potential epidemic of smoking-related diseases.
In Malawi, the programme found evidence of the London-based tobacco firm providing sponsorship for a music event, which was held at a venue that had no formal age checks on the door. This breaks BAT's own marketing code.
Chris Proctor, head of science and Regulation at BAT, told the programme that: "If that was the case, that is disappointing, it's certainly not what we would wish to happen." Celebrities had also appeared at the music event wearing Embassy and Pall Mall branded goods. Lavish events
WHO predicts smoking-related deaths in Africa will double within 20 years
Campaigners say that such events - which often feature competitions offering lavish prizes - are succeeding in making cigarettes attractive in a country where less than 10% of the population smoke and where smoking is still considered taboo.
BAT's marketing code acknowledges that single cigarettes are particularly attractive to young people, who may not be able to afford a whole packet of cigarettes.
The company claims it does not promote the sale of single sticks on this basis. Yet in Mauritius, Mr Bannatyne discovers special pots which BAT has distributed to shops to make it easier for them to sell single cigarettes.
In Malawi and Nigeria, he discovers posters that BAT has produced depicting single cigarettes and showing the price of a single cigarette.
BAT's Mr Proctor said existing posters advertising single sticks would not be used after June 2008. And he said that the pots to promote single sticks should have been withdrawn.
Flouting bans The programme features children as young as 11 who are buying the single cigarettes and are already developing a nicotine habit.
Dr Sunil Gunness, a cardiac surgeon in Mauritius, reports a huge rise in smoking-related diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the number of smoking-related deaths in Africa is 100,000 a year, but that that figure is set to double in the next 20 years.
The programme shows clear evidence of BAT flouting existing bans on advertising. In Mauritius, where cigarette advertising is banned, BAT has painted shops the same colour as Matinee, one of their leading brands.
One shopkeeper told the programme that BAT painted it for him to advertise its cigarettes three years ago. That is six years after the ban on advertising was introduced in 1999. Mr Proctor conceded that the shops should not have been painted by BAT.
"There were a series of shops that had been painted a yellow, the same colour as one of our brands there," he said. "We had a look at it recently. It wasn't against the law but it didn't look right, so we have been back in there and we've been making sure those are repainted."
Mr Proctor said the company would be looking at the issues raised by the programme. Duncan Bannatyne described BAT as "the unacceptable face of British Business".
Bannatyne takes on Big Tobacco: This World is broadcast on Tuesday 1 July on BBC TWO at 2100BST.
BBC Coverage of Malawi's failure to sign the FCTC
Malawi fears over tobacco treaty
Malawi, one of the biggest producers of tobacco, is coming under pressure to sign a new treaty limiting its production.
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been signed by 168 countries.
Tobacco, or "green gold", accounts for 70% of Malawi's export earnings, the BBC's Health Matters reports.
Some government ministers are concerned signing up to the convention could mean millions are condemned to poverty.
Malawi is the largest producer of burley - a type of tobacco particularly favoured by manufacturers as a filler in cigarettes.
The crop accounts for up to one third of the country's Gross Domestic Product. In Malawi the mantra is tobacco saves, not kills.
But this situation could change. The World Health Organization estimates five million people die from tobacco related illness each year.
'Technical reasons'
The convention seeks to reduce both supply and demand of tobacco and its possible effect is dividing a country that ranks among the 10 poorest nations in the world.
While 168 countries have signed the convention and another 31 have ratified it, it must be ratified by nine more to become meaningful in terms of International law.
Malawi is one of those countries which has yet to sign.
Dr Wesley Sengala of the Ministry of Health ascribes the failure to sign to "technical reasons".
But in a country where smoking rates are relatively low and the burden of tobacco related illness pales into insignificance alongside the HIV/Aids epidemic, public health arguments hold little sway.
However, the convention does take into account tobacco dependent countries.
It offers monetary and technical assistance for countries to wean themselves off tobacco.
Dr Sengala is using these economic and agricultural imperatives to win over the sceptics in government.
"What we are explaining is that we could take advantage of this framework to diversify our economy," he said.
However, not everyone remains convinced. Chakufwa Chiana, the Minister of Agriculture, is palpably aware of the fragility of Malawi's monoculture, but his resistance is based on the effects tobacco controls may have.
He wants to invite the WHO to Malawi to see "the scale of poverty that will engulf the seven million people that will be affected by the impact of this convention".
Yet Malawi may face a more immediate crisis. Over the last 10 years tobacco prices have fallen by up to 50%.
The WHO believes this is a result of the tobacco industry transferring their increasing litigation costs on to the tobacco producers.
Rather than encouraging diversification, the price drops have encouraged farmers to seek out more profitable forms of tobacco - like flue cured.
But Dr Sengala believes change is coming. Following talks with the recently elected President Bingu wa Mutharika, he thinks that Malawi could sign the convention in the next three months.
Signing could be the easiest step. Changing the mindset of Malawian's maybe the greatest challenge of all.
Malawi, one of the biggest producers of tobacco, is coming under pressure to sign a new treaty limiting its production.
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been signed by 168 countries.
Tobacco, or "green gold", accounts for 70% of Malawi's export earnings, the BBC's Health Matters reports.
Some government ministers are concerned signing up to the convention could mean millions are condemned to poverty.
Malawi is the largest producer of burley - a type of tobacco particularly favoured by manufacturers as a filler in cigarettes.
The crop accounts for up to one third of the country's Gross Domestic Product. In Malawi the mantra is tobacco saves, not kills.
But this situation could change. The World Health Organization estimates five million people die from tobacco related illness each year.
'Technical reasons'
The convention seeks to reduce both supply and demand of tobacco and its possible effect is dividing a country that ranks among the 10 poorest nations in the world.
While 168 countries have signed the convention and another 31 have ratified it, it must be ratified by nine more to become meaningful in terms of International law.
Malawi is one of those countries which has yet to sign.
Dr Wesley Sengala of the Ministry of Health ascribes the failure to sign to "technical reasons".
But in a country where smoking rates are relatively low and the burden of tobacco related illness pales into insignificance alongside the HIV/Aids epidemic, public health arguments hold little sway.
However, the convention does take into account tobacco dependent countries.
It offers monetary and technical assistance for countries to wean themselves off tobacco.
Dr Sengala is using these economic and agricultural imperatives to win over the sceptics in government.
"What we are explaining is that we could take advantage of this framework to diversify our economy," he said.
However, not everyone remains convinced. Chakufwa Chiana, the Minister of Agriculture, is palpably aware of the fragility of Malawi's monoculture, but his resistance is based on the effects tobacco controls may have.
He wants to invite the WHO to Malawi to see "the scale of poverty that will engulf the seven million people that will be affected by the impact of this convention".
Yet Malawi may face a more immediate crisis. Over the last 10 years tobacco prices have fallen by up to 50%.
The WHO believes this is a result of the tobacco industry transferring their increasing litigation costs on to the tobacco producers.
Rather than encouraging diversification, the price drops have encouraged farmers to seek out more profitable forms of tobacco - like flue cured.
But Dr Sengala believes change is coming. Following talks with the recently elected President Bingu wa Mutharika, he thinks that Malawi could sign the convention in the next three months.
Signing could be the easiest step. Changing the mindset of Malawian's maybe the greatest challenge of all.
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