Government urged to stand firm in effort to implement Tobacco control policy

A report
released by the Consumer Information Network shows that tobacco industry
interference on policy measures on the sector by the government is supported by
legal battles and industry interaction with government officials.

The tobacco
industry interference index report 2019 released on Thursday states that, the
industry uses both overt and covert means to lobby and dissuades government
from developing and implementing stringent tobacco control policies that are
effective.

Despite
having developed policies in accordance with Article 5.3 of the WHO framework
convention for tobacco control (FCTC), the government has not fully implemented
them owing to the industry interference.

The report
now wants the government to fully and effectively implement its obligations as
per Article 5.3 of WHO FCTC requirements.

“WHO
FCTC urges every government to be alert and informed of every efforts by the
tobacco industry to undermine any efforts of regulatory control.” read
part of the report.

It also
called upon tobacco control advocates to step up their watchdog role and ensure
no interference on government policy formulation and implementation by the
industry.

The report
further recommended the government to develop and implement code of conduct,
policy procedures showing all stakeholder interaction and a repository available
to the public, which can inform them about the sector and regulations.

The report
was presented by Samuel J. Ochieng, Chief Executive Officer at Consumer
Information Network.