View - The Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control

ISSUE 85
SAT U R DAY, 2 2 N OV E M B E R 2 0 0 8
D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
BU LLE TI N
I N S I D E T H I S I SS U E
THAN K YO U SO UTH AF RI CA!
New South African law
2
Uruguay
3
India
6
Smokefree UN
6
New Zealand
7
TO DAY
Safe journey!
The FCA would like to say a big THANK
YOU to South Africa for its hospitality in
hosting COP-3.
honour and a privilege for us FCAers to
attend this COP on African soil. And for
that we are truly pleased.
It has been an honour for FCA to spend
a week in this beautiful city along with
the representatives of over 150 countries
that negotiated and adopted guidelines
which will assist in the effective
implementation of the FCTC.
The African region, and more specifically
this country - the home of Nelson
Mandela and the place where Mahatma
Ghandi began his human rights plea has given context to the importance of
the work of the COP/FCTC. And, true to
its nature, South Africa has consistently
advocated strong guidelines throughout
this COP.
The South African government has been
extremely helpful, inclusive and
constructive. We very much admire and
appreciate its strong relationship with the
nation’s vibrant civil society whose
members have been of so much help to
us this week. In particular, we would like
to thank the Cancer Association of South
Africa and its volunteers who helped us
so much during the week.
The aggressive history of the tobacco
industry across the Africa continent is in
stark contrast to the extremely positive
role taken by African governments during
the FCTC negotiations. It has been an
SI NCE TH E OPE N I NG OF TH E
FI RST WORKI NG G ROU P
FOR TH E FRAM EWORK
CONVE NTION ON TOBACCO
CONTROL , ON 25 OCTOBE R
1999
40,264,656
PEOPLE HAVE DI E D FROM
TOBACCO-RE L ATE D
DISEASES. (AS OF 9AM ON 22
NOVE M BE R 2008).
South Africa, your hospitality has been
exemplary. And this brief introduction to
your nation’s rich cultural heritage has
been a treat for us all.
The stellar performance of Director
General Thami Mseluku at the gala
dinner in achieving the extraordinary feat
of getting the whole COP dancing is a
memory we will all treasure.
SIYABONGA!
AN OT H E R CO P OVE R ... G R E AT
G U I D E L I N E S B U T D E E P E R I N D E BT
In the years ahead, we will all look back
on COP-3 as a momentous meeting.
This morning, the COP will adopt
guidelines on three critical Articles of the
FCTC – 5.3 (protection of public health
policies with respect to tobacco control
from commercial and other vested
interests of the tobacco industry), 11
(packaging and labelling of tobacco
products) and 13 (tobacco advertising,
promotion and sponsorship).
The COP has lived up to the expectation
it set at COP-2 in adopting guidelines on
Article 8 (protection from exposure to
tobacco smoke) that the implementation
standards it sets at the international level
will be high. A huge round of applause is
deserved.
Work on critical Articles – 12 (education,
communication, training and public
awareness), 14 (demand reduction
measures concerning tobacco
dependence and cessation) and 17 and
18 (provision of support for economically
viable alternative activities and protection
of the environment and the health of
Continued on page 4
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ISSUE 85
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D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
SO UTH AF RI CA’ S N E W
TO BACCO CO NTRO L L AW
On Wednesday 19 November, the South African parliament
passed amendments to its Tobacco Products Control Act. The
new Bill, together with an Act passed earlier this year, is a leap
forward in tobacco control in South Africa. Key changes to the
law include:
1) Smoking is banned in cars carrying children under 12 years
old as passengers. Smoking near building entrances and in
outdoor areas, like sports stadiums, is also regulated.
2) Introduction of picture-based health warnings on tobacco
packaging. Untruthful and misleading labelling on tobacco
packaging, like “light” and “mild”, is banned.
3) Sales of tobacco products through the Internet or by mail are
prohibited.
4) All cigarettes have to be self-extinguishing (reduced ignition
propensity products) to reduce the risk of causing fires. (About
five per cent of all fires in the country are caused by discarded
tobacco products).
5) Retail and wholesale display of tobacco products will be
strictly regulated. Self-service displays of tobacco products at
retail are banned
6) Direct or indirect advertising of a tobacco product, and the
practice of paying film and television producers to show
tobacco products on screen (so-called product placement), are
prohibited;
7) Chemicals that may be released by, or added to, tobacco
products during manufacture are regulated.
The new law now goes for assent to the State President, and
will come into force on a date to be decided.
South Africa has regularly increased tobacco excise taxes
since 1991. The government banned smoking in indoor public
places and tobacco advertising in 1999.
Cigarette consumption has fallen by 40 per cent in the past
decade, providing the clearest evidence of the success of the
law.
S M O KE- F R E E P O L I C I E S I N L AOS
Last month, more than 600 officials,
students and representatives of
international organisations gathered to
mark the official announcement of the
smoke-free national games scheduled to
take place next month in Champasak
province, Lao People’s Democratic
Republic (Lao PDR).
Smoke-free regulations will initially apply
to state organisations, tourist sites, public
transport, hotels, guest houses and
restaurants in Pakxe, the provincial
capital, and also extend to sports
venues.
Significantly, Lao PDR will for the first
time host next year’s twentieth-fifth
series of the South East Asian Games.
The announcement of the smoke-free
national games and the new regulation
together provide a foundation for
ensuring a smoke-free South East Asian
sporting event.
The latest developments follow success
with the smoke-free programme at the
Luang Prabang World Heritage site.
Initiated in May 2007, the programme this
year received a World No Tobacco Day
Award in recognition of becoming the
first smoke-free UNESCO World Heritage
Site in the region. It covers government
workplaces, areas such as restaurants,
guest houses, hotels, internet shops,
handicraft and souvenir shops and the
night market. After one year of
implementation, most local business
owners were complying fully with the
regulation, with the exception of some
French–owned restaurants.
Professor Sithat Insisiengmay, chairman
of the Tobacco Control Taskforce and
Deputy Director of the Hygiene and
Prevention Department of the Public
Health Ministry, said smoke-free policies
promote public health, create healthy
environments and put a stop to smoking.
Many smokers come from
disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors.
An important factor in the implementation
process is the solid support and political
will of local officials. Success in
establishing smoke-free areas in the
country depends on close co-operation
between government and civil society. A
variety of strategies and activities are
planned for turning the country’s
provinces smoke-free, including public
education campaigns and mobilising
other players to raise public awareness
about smoking bans in designated areas.
Luang Prabang and Champasak
provinces have set standards of
excellence in implementing the terms of
Article 8 of the FCTC which requires all
Parties to the Convention to protect their
citizens from second-hand smoke in
public spaces, workplaces and public
transport. The example set by Luang
Prabang can serve as inspiration to other
nations to make World Heritage Sites
smoke-free.
Dr. Maniphanh Vongphosy, Adventist Relief
and Development Agency-Lao PDR and the
Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance
(SEATCA)
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D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
CO P-4 H OST: U RUG UAY
Few Parties to the FCTC can boast a
head of state who is an unreserved
tobacco control advocate. Uruguay, next
host to the Conference of the Parties,
has such a leader.
President Tabare Vazquez is an
oncologist-turned-politician who
remained true to his commitment to
tobacco control after he took office in
2005. With his support, the National
Tobacco Control Alliance – a grouping
bringing together government and civil
society – finally won the battle to enforce
most of the major provisions of the FCTC
in Uruguay.
Though top-level intervention proved to
be the critical turning point, a host of
individuals from different walks of life laid
a strong foundation. The National
Tobacco Control Alliance began life in
2000, shortly after international
negotiations commenced on the FCTC.
The Uruguayan tobacco control
movement united different constituencies
– health professionals, government
officials, legislators, local councillors,
NGOs and the media.
Pressure by the various forces played a
substantial part in making Uruguay one
of the first 40 Parties to the FCTC.
But, recounts FCA director for Region of
the Americas Dr Eduardo Bianco, after
ratifying the treaty Uruguay had to face
up to the fact that implementation was
not going to be easy. “Uruguay has one
of the highest rates of tobacco
consumption in Latin American and the
highest number of lung cancer deaths in
the region, if not the world,” he says. In
addition, there had been a 25-year
period in which parliament repeatedly
rejected tobacco control laws because of
tobacco industry influence.
“Shortly before President Vazquez took
office, the outgoing government took
some important steps to safeguard
tobacco control,” says Dr Bianco. “It
created the Ministry of Health Tobacco
Control Commission, with civil society
participation, and issued a national
decree providing for health warnings
covering at least 50 per cent of the area
of the pack.”
Implementation gained pace after the
president assumed power. He advocated
tobacco control from public platforms,
engaged other Latin America leaders on
the problem and issued a series of
decrees bringing the country very close
to comprehensive tobacco control.
In February 2008, the passing of the
Tobacco Control Act saw the earlier
decrees reinforced and supplemented. In
the same year, a national survey showed
a drop in smoking prevalence of over
seven per cent in two years – down from
32 per cent in 2006 to 24.8 per cent in
2008.
Dr Bianco says the achievement has
come at a price. “Being the first smokefree country in the Americas means you
become a focus for tobacco industry
attacks.”
But it has also won this country of just
3.5 million people global recognition,
which is expressed in the Parties’
decision to meet there for COP-4. “It will
be wonderful for Uruguay to have the
eyes of the world focused on it and the
occasion should reinforce tobacco
control in Uruguay and the rest of Latin
America” said Dr Bianca.
M I L E S TO N E S A LO N G U RU G UAY ’ S TO BAC C O - F R E E RO U T E
2000
2006
National Medical Association becomes involved in tobacco
control;
President Vazquez addresses a seven-country meeting of
activists, politicians and media, in Argentina;
National Tobacco Control Alliance draws together
government and civil society groupings
A new decree creates a blanket ban on indoor smoking, and
heavy penalties
2004
2 0 07
Fondo Nacional de Recursos launches pilot no-fee smoking
cessation programme which expands to assist 5,000
smokers in 2004/5;
Research Centre on the Tobacco Epidemic (CIET) launched
as an NGO;
Uruguay becomes one of 40 ‘founding’ Parties to the FCTC
Uruguayan government, WHO, FCA and CIET host regional
workshop on illicit tobacco trade for 32 countries
2005
2008
Ministry of Health establishes Tobacco Control Commission,
comprising government and civil society representatives;
Parliament passes Tobacco Control Act covering most
articles of the FCTC and including some outdoor smoke-free
provisions and cessation programmes as a basic health
service;
Government issues decree on health warnings covering 50
per cent of product packs;
New President Tabare Vazquez signals his intention to
strengthen tobacco control in a World No Tobacco Day
address, through increased taxes, use of pictorial warnings
and a ban on misleading terms
A national survey shows a 7.2 per cent drop in prevalence of
tobacco use from 2006 to 2008 and huge improvement’s in
indoor air quality.
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D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
L A VO LO N T É P O L IT I Q U E , L’ U N I Q U E A R M E P O U R
L’A P P L I CATI O N D E L A C C L AT AU S É N ÉG A L
Les Parties de la Convention Cadre pour la Lutte Anti Tabac se
sont réunis en Afrique du Sud sous les auspices de
l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé afin de prendre des
mesures décisives qui ont abouti à l’adoption de certaines
dispositions parmi lesquelles l’article 11 qui porte sur le
conditionnement et étiquetage et l’article 13 portant sur la
publicité, la promotion et le parrainage.
Aujourd’hui, des pays comme le Sénégal, qui a ratifié cette
Convention il y a 4 ans, n’ont pas encore montré une réelle
volonté politique de veiller à l’application des directives de la
CCLAT et ceci malgré les promesses que ne cessent de faire
les différents ministres en charge de la santé. En effet, sous la
pression des lobbies du tabac très influents, le gouvernement
du Sénégal a modifié la loi 81.58 du 09 novembre 1981, en
adoptant la loi 85.23 du 25 février 1985, signant le retour de la
publicité, des pratiques promotionnelles et de parrainage des
produits du tabac via toutes les formes de communication, en
dehors du vecteur télévisuel.
De plus, le Sénégal compte déjà trois fabricants de cigarettes,
que sont la MTOA, BA et PM. Des relations ambigües existent,
et ces fabricants ne cessent d’entretenir les relations entre nos
autorités et l’industrie du tabac. Par ailleurs, le budget alloué à
la lutte anti tabac est le plus faible du ministère de la santé.
Enfin, le projet de loi annoncé par le Président de la République
visant à augmenter les taxes sur les produits tabac n’est pas
encore arrivé à la table des négociations auprès des députés…
Cela constituerait-il un recul ?
En effet, la situation du tabagisme au Sénégal ne cesse
d’empirer avec une addiction de plus en plus féminine et un
taux d’analphabétisme qui empêche de recevoir les
informations sur les méfaits du tabac.
•
l’enquête de GYTS (Global Youth Tobacco Survey) de 2007
a montré que, 11.4 % des élèves interrogés déclaraient
avoir reçu gratuitement des cigarettes offertes par des
agents commerciaux de l’industrie de tabac ;
•
12.0% des élèves garçons fument régulièrement la
cigarette, contre 3.1% chez les jeunes filles ;
•
une autre étude réalisée en 2004 a montré qu’au Sénégal
71% des garçons âgés de 10 à 20 ans fumaient ;
•
Enfin, d’après un sondage mené auprès de 100 individus
par l’Association Vie et Santé (AVIS) sur l’Article 11 de la
CCLAT, a montré que 97% des fumeurs achetaient le plus
souvent leur cigarette au détail.
Paradoxalement à ces chiffres, selon toujours le sondage mené
par l’Association Vie et Santé (AVIS) :
•
89% des enquêtés pensaient que les images
d’avertissement sanitaires pouvaient contribuer à
décourager les fumeurs ;
•
97% pensaient que le gouvernement aurait du prendre des
mesures relatives à l’article 11 pour empêcher les gens de
fumer et pour arrêter les ravages du tabac ;
•
Selon l’enquête GYTS, 86.2% des jeunes fumeurs ont
essayé d’arrêter de fumer.
Une chose reste évidente aux yeux des acteurs de la lutte anti
tabac : en faisant ainsi une petite évaluation de la situation,
force est de constater qu’il n’y a que la volonté politique qui
pourra mener à l’application des dispositions de la CCLAT et
ceci quelque soit l’ingérence et le pouvoir de l’industrie du
tabac.
En réalité :
•
Massamba DIOUF
Président de l’Association Vie et Santé (AVIS)
57% de la population a moins de 20 ans ;
Continued from page 1
persons) – will continue between now and COP-4, as will the negotiation of a protocol
on illicit trade in tobacco products. In its work in these areas, we hope that the COP
maintains its high standards. There is every reason to believe it will.
BULLETIN ONLINE
However, the public health gains will come only if Parties implement their obligations
under the Convention, guided by the standards set by the COP.
Are you wondering how you keep
abreast of FCTC issues between
now and the next meeting?
This is where the big ‘but’ comes in. Ultimately, the success of the COP lies in both
the instruments it adopts and the way in which it facilitates, supports, monitors and
reviews implementation. For all its fine words, it is clear that the COP is a long, long
way from resolving the critical issues relating to financial resources and mechanisms
of assistance, giving reporting and monitoring the serious attention they need and
developing a process for effective budget-setting. Some Parties have begun to push
for the necessary changes. They must continue to do so.
For, if the COP does not get these areas right, the danger is that it will become a
body that produces fine text that has limited effect in practice.
Having set a very high standard on substantive matters, the next test for the COP will
be to adequately address these other crucial areas. As we look ahead to COP-4 in
Uruguay, in late 2010, we look forward to continuing to participate in the COP’s
important programme of work. And we assure you that we will be watching closely.
FCA is launching Bulletin Online, a
bimonthly update of key
developments.
Simply sign up by e-mailing editor@
fctc.org and write “ONLINE” in the
subject line. To view a sample
edition of Bulletin Online, go to
www.fctc.org.
FCA also welcomes your own news
and latest information.
Thanks for your interest.
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D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
P O I NT S D E V E N T E D E C I G A R E T TE S E T
V É H I C U L E S: R E M PA RT D E L A P U B L I C I T É D E TA BAC !
Depuis le début de mise en œuvre de la
CCLAT ratifiée par la République
Démocratique du Congo, la publicité des
produits du tabac a changé de forme.
En effet, les médias ne font plus de
publicités directes des produits de tabac
et les panneaux publicitaires géants ont
disparus.
En vue de perpétuer son recrutement et
remplacer les morts d’aujourd’hui dus à
la consommation du tabac, l’industrie du
tabac a trouvé subtilement des failles
dans les mesures réglementaires
adoptées et appliquées.
Ainsi, l’industrie se replie sur une autre
forme de publicité de ses produits. La
nouvelle stratégie consiste en un
renforcement de la présentation et de la
Photo des points de vente tabac au
Marché central de Lubumbashi, RD
Congo, Juillet 2008
visibilité des produits de tabac sur les
points de vente d’une part, et d’autres
part, sur leurs véhicules qui sillonnent les
rues des villes et villages à longueur de
journées et voire bien régulièrement la
nuit.
Les parasols distribués “gracieusement”
aux vendeurs des cartes de crédits de
communication, les articles
vestimentaires, les casquettes, les
sachets d’emballage, portent tous des
noms et logo des différentes marques de
cigarettes. Ces autres outils de
communication véhiculent le message de
l’industrie du tabac au mépris de
l’interdiction de la publicité des produits
de tabac.
En outre, les célébrités comme les
musiciens, sont aussi utilisées par
l’industrie comme des vecteurs de
communication dans le but d’inciter la
dépendance chez les nouveaux fumeurs,
qui fument des cigarettes et cigares par
mimétisme.
Au cours de la troisième session de la
Conférence des Parties de la Convention
Cadre de l’OMS pour la Lutte Anti-Tabac
qui vient de se termine le 22 novembre
2008 à Durban en Afrique du Sud, la
Photo d’un véhicule publicitaire mobile à
Kinshasa Lubumbashi, RD Congo, Janvier
2008
société civile lance un vibrant appel à
l’attention des délégués des
gouvernements. Ils sont engagés à
adopter des lignes directrices fortes et
efficaces pour l’article 13 (Interdiction de
toute forme de publicité indirecte et
directe des produits du tabac) afin de
réduire l’usage du tabac qui entraine
chaque année cinq millions de décès et
des pertes considérables de plusieurs
milliards de dollars au trésor public par la
contrebande.
Par Dr Patrick Musavuli
Président de l’Association de Lutte contre le
Tabagisme en Afrique (LUCTAF)
U N P ROTO CO L E D’ E NT E N T E E NT R E L A BAT E T L A
D O UAN E B E N I N O I S E : « L E G O U V E R N E M E N T B E N I N O I S D U P E»
L’ article 5.3 de la Convention Cadre de Lutte Anti Tabac de
l’OMS stipule clairement qu’en définissant et en appliquant
leurs politiques de santé publique en matière de lutte antitabac, les parties veillent à ce que ces politiques ne soient pas
influencées par les intérêts commerciaux de l’industrie du
tabac. Cependant, l’industrie de la mort vient de manipuler
l’ensemble du système douanier Béninois.
En effet au mois d’octobre 2008, le Directeur Général de la
Bristish American Tobacco (BAT) au Bénin et le Directeur de la
douane Béninoise ont paraphé les documents d’un protocole
d’entente en vue de contrôler le commerce illicite transfrontalier
des cigarettes et des autres produits du tabac en République
du Bénin. Si cet évènement, relayé par les organes de presse
notamment la Télévision nationale, n’est pas de nature à
influencer le gouvernement béninois dans sa politique de lutte
anti tabac, alors comment comprendre que le document de ce
protocole soit caché aux ONGs et autres acteurs de la lutte anti
tabac.
recommandations à l’intention des décideurs de chaque pays
ayant ratifié la CCLAT, encourage les différentes Parties à : «
s’assurer que ces interactions [de l’industrie du tabac] sont
menées de manière transparente. Dans la mesure du possible,
les interactions devraient avoir lieu en public, par exemple à
travers des auditions publiques. Là où cela n’est pas possible,
ces interactions devraient être notifiées au public, les archives
des interactions conservées et ouverts rapidement au public ».
Au bénin, nous savons que la BAT elle-même organise les
circuits de contrebande avec des véhicules remplis de
cigarettes en direction de l’inter land et du Maghreb. Il est plus
que probable que ce protocole d’entente soit une véritable
conspiration, permettant aux marchands de la mort de prendre
d’assaut les frontières du Bénin.
Augustin FATON,
Président de l’ONG Initiative pour l’Education et le Contrôle du
Tabagisme
Lors de la troisième Conférences des Parties, la FCA, dans ses
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D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
TO BAC CO I N D U S T RY F I N G E RP R I NT S O N I N D IA’ S
H E ALTH WARN I N G S
India had a head start with health
warnings on tobacco packaging when, in
2003, it legislated that pictorial health
warnings should occupy 50 per cent of
principal display areas. Remember, this
was within two years of Canada
introducing the first picture-based
warnings.
to review the proposed warnings, in
which the Health Ministry was pitted
against five other non-supportive or
antagonistic Ministries. Cowing to
industry pressure, GOM’s
recommendation led to parliament
amending the law and removing the
symbol.
Five years later, however, the warnings
are yet to see the light of day. The
landscape of delay and dilution displays
all the fingerprints of the tobacco
industry.
Further industry pressure led to the
warning area on packaging being cut
from 50 per cent to 40 per cent, with use
of a set of weaker images, including a
scorpion - despite confusion over how
the arthropod is linked to tobacco
control.
By 2006, India’s Ministry of Health had
developed a set of strong warnings that
testing had found to be effective in
communicating the harmful nature of
tobacco. But, following the
announcement of the warnings in 2006,
the bidi industry mobilised India’s state
governments demanding removal of the
skull and cross bones symbol that had
been specified in the tobacco control
Act.
Lobbying by the tobacco industry led to
a Group of Ministers (GOM) being set up
The tobacco industry also mounted more
than 40 High Court challenges in various
states against pictorial warnings. These
are currently pending.
And as dilution followed delay, India’s
deadline for complying with FCTC health
warning obligations slipped away in
February this year.
Clearly, India needs to get effective
warnings in place without further delay.
Especially given that India’s most
commonly used tobacco product is its
most toxic – namely, bidis - which do not
carry even the mild textual warning
carried on cigarette packs.
Health warnings need to be progressively
strengthened in line with proposed
Article 11 guidelines (on packaging and
labelling) that Committee A decided on
yesterday afternoon.
India’s original warning
Revised warning
tobacco industry, the Indian government
needs to introduce safeguards that
adequately protect public health policies
from tobacco industry manipulation.
It is alarming that the tobacco industry is
allowed to enjoy such free access to
roam the corridors of government.
Interaction with the industry should be
restricted to only what is necessary for
regulatory education. Meetings need to
be held in public fora, such as public
hearings. Precedent for this is the
legislative process for India’s tobacco
control Act, where parliament held public
hearings for stakeholders to present their
views to a standing committee. Records
of interactions need to be kept and made
public in a timely manner.
Shoba John
Programme Director, HealthBridge India
Given the reach and influence of the
U N I T E D N AT I O N S H E A D Q UA RT E RS G O E S S M O KE F R E E
An historic resolution, passed on 3 November, has made
the UN headquarters in New York City 100 per cent
smoke-free.
While this is a great step forward, the resolution is limited
to the UN’s New York headquarters. Thousands of other
UN employees remain exposed to tobacco smoke.
Thousands of UN employees will now be protected from
exposure to second-hand smoke.
Nonetheless, the resolution presents both a unique
opportunity and a political mandate for all UN agencies to
bring their policies in line with headquarters.
The milestone was spearheaded by Uruguay, with TFI
providing significant technical assistance. It also comes
after a campaign by the Global Smokefree Partnership that
called attention to the last remaining buildings in New York
to become smoke-free.
Cassandra Welch and Ami Valdemoro
Global Smokefree Partnership
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D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
U NA M E G AU R B E L I B R E D E H U M O D E TABACO : U N
ÉXITO CO M PARTI DO
La Ciudad de México, que cuenta con una de las poblaciones
más grandes del planeta, se convirtió en abril de 2008 en una
ciudad libre de humo de tabaco. La nueva ley local dispone
que todos los espacios públicos cerrados y los espacios de
trabajo deben garantizar ambientes 100% libres de humo de
tabaco, sin permitir áreas designadas para fumar.
Durante el Día Mundial sin Tabaco de 2008, se celebró por
primera vez en la ciudad este hecho sin precedentes. Bares,
restaurantes, escuelas, todo el transporte público, lugares de
trabajo, edificios de gobierno y otros lugares públicos cerrados
se mantienen sin humo de tabaco, garantizando la eliminación
de la exposición del humo para los no fumadores.
Si bien la Ley de Protección a la Salud de los No Fumadores
del Distrito Federal siguió un proceso legislativo interesante,
otro proceso se llevó a la par en otros espacios. La conjunción
de actores de todas las esferas fue esencial para lograr este
hecho.
Las organizaciones de la sociedad civil jugaron un rol
determinante mediante la abogacía y la defensa de la iniciativa.
Los legisladores encargados de presentar y apoyar la
propuesta fueron siempre respaldados por las diversas
organizaciones continuamente presentes para proveer
argumentos, evidencias científicas y asesoría. Entre otras, la
Fundación Interamericana del Corazón México, ACTA, el
Consejo Mexicano Contra el Tabaquismo, fueron las
organizaciones dando la batalla para conseguir una ciudad
libre de humo.
La participación de los académicos e investigadores de
importantes centros de estudios como el Instituto Nacional de
Salud Pública coadyuvó a que el debate se alimentara de
evidencia científica sobre los daños a la salud pública
causados por la exposición al humo de tabaco. La
coordinación y el incondicional apoyo de las instancias de
gobierno de la Ciudad de México también fueron claves para el
desarrollo de este exitoso proceso.
Sin duda, el apoyo del público a esta iniciativa potenció el éxito
de esta herramienta para promover la salud pública. Altos
niveles de aprobación (tanto de no fumadores como de
fumadores) sobre los espacios 100% libres de humo de
tabaco, antes y después de la implementación de la ley, han
hecho que la ciudadanía se interese en observar el
cumplimiento de la misma. Este proceso ha sido un esfuerzo
de todos y los actores involucrados comparten el éxito. El reto
ahora es lograr que este hecho sea replicado en el resto del
país, y que el ejemplo de la Ciudad de México se repita y
multiplique.
Jonathan Romo
‘ N E W Z E AL AN D’ B R AN D C I GARE T TE S
RE M OVE D F RO M SAL E
A New Zealand advocate for tobacco
control, visiting the Duty Free Store (DFS)
at Auckland International Airport, came
across a Luxembourg-made brand of
cigarettes called ‘New Zealand’. It
displayed New Zealand’s icon, the Silver
Fern.
These cigarettes were being sold by DFS
with the intent of providing a ‘piece’ of
New Zealand to tourists and New
Zealanders alike.
story. It was DFS and not a tobacco
company that was branding the product,
supplied by the Luxembourg
manufacturer.
Food for thought. We are not just fighting
the tobacco industry. We are also fighting
companies such as DFS who see the
chance of turning over a quick profit.
DFS proved reluctant to discuss the
matter in the media but issued an
apology to all New Zealanders for its use
of the brand to all.
Shane Kawenata Bradbrook
Director – Te Reo Marama (New Zealand)
New Zealand’s tobacco control groups,
and supporters such as Tourism New
Zealand, rallied around a call to have the
product removed.
Resulting media exposure created a
backlash and a snap online poll found 74
per cent of New Zealanders supported
immediate removal.
Within eight hours of the news breaking
all ‘New Zealand’-branded cigarettes
were removed from DFS shelves.
Investigations into the major tobacco
company involved revealed an interesting
7
ISSUE 85
D I RT Y
AS H T R AY
AWAR D
To the chair of Committee B for
undermining the COP’s decisionmaking process by repeatedly
ignoring Parties’ comments on the
need for a process to further revise
the reporting instrument – all the
way through to 10.15 pm on Friday
night, when a draft decision, only in
English, and not reflecting Parties’
comments, was introduced two
minutes before the session had to
conclude… Scandalous.
O RC H I D
AWAR D
To Maldives for
pledging extra budgetary
contributions nearly nine times
the size of their voluntary acessed
contributions
T h e F r a m ewo r k C o nve n t i o n
A l l i a n ce ( F CA ) i s a g l o b a l a l l i a n ce
o f N G O s wo r k i n g t o a c h i eve t h e
s t r o n g e s t p o s s i b l e F r a m ewo r k
C o nve n t i o n o n To b a c c o C o n t r o l .
V i ew s ex p r e s s e d i n t h e A l l i a n c e
B u l l e t i n a r e t h o s e o f t h e w r i te r s
and do not necessarily represent
those of the sponsors.
SAT U R DAY, 2 2 N OV E M B E R 2 0 0 8
D U R B A N , S O U T H A F R I CA
PROG RE SS WITH C I GARE T TE
PAC K H E ALTH WARN I N G S
The Cigarette Package Health Warnings:
International Status Report, released
today, provides an international overview
that ranks 140 countries based on the
size of warnings for cigarette packages.
It also lists those countries that have
finalised requirements for picture-based
warnings. Regional breakdowns are also
included in the report.
Under Article 11 of the FCTC, package
warnings “should be 50% or more of the
principal display areas but shall be no
less than 30% of the display areas”,
which for most cigarette packs applies to
the front and back. Pictures may be
used. Parties have a three-year deadline
to implement this obligation.
The new report provides a concise
summary as to what Parties have
actually done. Fully 25 countries have
finalised requirements for picture-based
warnings on cigarette packs and 25
countries have required warnings that
are at least 50 per cent. Seven nations Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands,
Belgium, Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan and
Finland – already require warnings larger
than 50 per cent. Many other countries
are in the process strengthening their
pack warnings.
Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese,
Russian and Spanish.
The release of the report coincides with
the Article 11 Guidelines being submitted
to the plenary of the Conference of the
Parties for adoption. These guidelines
will prove to be of enormous assistance
to Parties when implementing package
warnings and other labelling measures.
Well-designed package warnings are an
effective means to increase awareness of
the health effects of tobacco use and to
decrease consumption.
Rob Cunningham
Joelle Walker
Canadian Cancer Society
The report, published by the Canadian
Cancer Society, was funded by the
Framework Convention Alliance. The
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is
currently translating the report into
F r a m ewo r k C o nve n t i o n A l l i a n c e
Rue Henri-Christiné 5
C a s e P o s t a l e 5 67
CH-1211
G e n eva , Sw i t ze r l a n d
Re p r e s e n t a t i ve O f f i c e :
FCA c /o AS H I n te r n a t i o n a l
70 1 4 t h S t r e e t N W. 3 r d F l o o r
Wa s h i n g t o n , D C 2 0 0 0 1
U SA
P h o n e : + 1 2 02 2 8 9 7 1 5 5
F a x : + 1 2 02 2 8 9 7 1 6 6
E m a i l : e d i t o r @ fc t c . o r g
w w w. fc t c . o r g
8