WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) addresses the issue of protecting tobacco control policies from interference by the Tobacco Industry (TI). The treaty emphasizes the need to be alert to any effort by the tobacco industry to undermine or subvert tobacco control efforts. Article 5.3 of the treaty specifically places the responsibility to the Parties of the treaty to protect tobacco control policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.
This articles is based on key guiding principles, namely; the fact that there is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and public health policy interests, the need for Parties to be accountable and transparent when dealing with the tobacco industry or those working to further its interests, and to ask the tobacco industry to act in the same manner, and because the tobacco products are lethal, the tobacco industry should not be given any incentives to run their business. In order to realize these aspirations, the countries should raise public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco, limit interactions with the tobacco industry, reject partnerships with tobacco industry, avoid conflict of interest by government officials, be transparent and accountable and de-normalize the TI corporate social responsibility.
The tobacco industry has to be made accountable for its actions and it’s the obligation of government to put in place structures that will do this. There is no clear mechanism to share information between the tobacco industry and the government that is responsible for enforcement of the WHO FCTC. The TI information is inaccessible and sharing of the same is done on an ad hoc basis, creating a challenge in countering the industry tactics both by the Government and the other relevant stakeholders.
Tobacco industry interference occurs at all levels of the tobacco production chain-growing, manufacturing and marketing. The TI thrives by using a wide range of tactics and strategies to oppose tobacco control policies. The Industry may use misinformation, manipulation of the media and policy makers, interference with the legislation and policy formulation, advertisement, promotion and sponsorship, use of false evidence on health and economy, philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The tobacco industry can use direct or indirect political lobbying, campaign contributions, financing research to provide skewed ‘evidence’ to counter conventional evidence on the harmful effects of tobacco use, attempting to influence the regulatory process. It is not uncommon to find the tobacco industry engaging in intimidation, litigation against governments and activists and individuals and use of front groups to advance their cause. The TI may also be involved in smuggling of tobacco products, illicit trade and exaggeration of tobacco contribution to the economy and sustenance of farmers groups using false figures.
It is imperative for tobacco control actors to be aware of all these tactics by the TI and remain vigilant to avoid undue interference. Tobacco control actors must therefore understand the TI presence, operations and tactics in order to avoid falling prey to the TI and to protect the tobacco control policy from TI interference.
To facilitate the process, the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA) has developed aTobacco Industry Monitoring (TIM) Tooldesigned to assist governments and other stakeholders map and develop a full understanding of the Tobacco Industry and its tactics.
Tobacco Industry Monitoring (TIM) tool kit