ASH Australia media release                                       May 5, 2009

Tobacco industry should butt out of health policy 

States/territories urged: protect health, children;
ban interference by tobacco companies and front groups

“

Australian governments have been urged to ban interference by the tobacco industry in public health policy – as part of a worldwide day of action against aggressive expansion by the world’s largest multinational tobacco company, Philip Morris.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia has written to state and territory governments asking them to fulfil Australia ’s obligations to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) by ensuring that tobacco companies, including front groups, take no part in formulation of any policy relating to health.

Public health and youth groups are demonstrating worldwide today (May 5) in an International Day of Action coinciding with Philip Morris International’s inaugural shareholder meeting in New York . 
Marches , press conferences, letter campaigns and other activities will take place in over 20 countries.

Philip Morris sells tobacco products in about 160 countries and according to its 2008 Annual Report, nett revenue rose by 15.2% last year. The company credits “emerging markets” for driving its growth.

Tobacco use currently kills 5.4 million people annually - 10% of adult deaths worldwide. If current trends continue, tobacco will kill one billion people this century.

Says Anne Jones , ASH Australia Chief Executive: “Aggressive targeting of young people worldwide by Philip Morris in the last year has included sponsorship of Australian motorcycle champ Casey Stoner - which the company used to bypass national tobacco sponsorship bans via global media channels. 

“Philip Morris Australia has also tried to derail laws to get tobacco products out of sight in shops to protect children. They’ve given misleading information to retailers and governments to try to stop this.

“British American Tobacco has also lobbied governments – especially against smokefree places laws. Their front group the Butt Littering Trust functions to delay and weaken state and local government moves to make public areas smokefree.

“We’ve asked all governments to comply with Article 5.3 of the FCTC by making sure the tobacco industry plays no role at all in the formulation of policies to protect health, protect children and protect people in their workplaces.”

See Guidelines to FCTC Article 5.3 at  www.who.int/fctc/guidelines/article_5_3/en/index.html

International Day of Action against PMI: more information:  see www.takingontobacco.org/event/pmi09

Comment:   
Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia   ph. (02) 9334-1876;  m. 0417-227-879

Comment / media info:   
Stafford Sanders, ASH Australia  ph. (02) 9334-1823;  m. 0412-070-194

Page last updated 5/5/09