Health campaigners call on the Scottish Parliament to set firm controls on tobacco lobbyists

PRESS RELEASE – Embargo 00:01 Thursday 10^th September (can be used in Thursday editions)

A coalition of health charities and professional bodies has today (9^th Sept) submitted a Public Petition (PEO1580) calling on the Scottish Parliament authorities to set limits on engagement with tobacco industry representatives.

The petition highlights that the UK is bound by an international health treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This recognises the tobacco industry’s long history of interference in legitimate public health policies and sets strict limits on engagement with the tobacco industry. Yet no guidance or information has been provided to MSPs or Parliament staff as to how this impacts on their work.

The Convention does not prohibit signatories from engagement with the tobacco industry but recognises that the interests of the industry are in direct conflict with the goals of public health, and therefore sets strict guidelines around any interaction

• Parties to the Convention should protect their public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry
• Parties should interact with the tobacco industry only when and to the extent strictly necessary to enable them to effectively regulate the tobacco industry and tobacco products
• Parties should ensure that any interaction with the tobacco industry on matters related to matters related to tobacco control or public health is accountable and transparent

Yet this week the Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications from Japan Tobacco International (JTI), one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, gave evidence to a meeting of the Health and Sport Committee. His invitation followed a submission by the E-Lites electronic cigarette company, owned by JTI, which appeared to not even relate to tobacco. The petition submits that “For a senior tobacco industry representative to give evidence to a Parliamentary Committee on a submission which claims to not relate to smoking raises serious concerns over the Framework Convention obligations regarding transparency.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of health charity ASH Scotland, said:

“The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is there because there is fundamental conflict between tobacco industry profits and the health and well-being of their customers. For years tobacco companies have tried to protect their interests by opposing health policies and this is why they have been singled out for restrictions.

“We know that the tobacco industry seeks to influence political action on health, as shown by the millions it recently threw at opposing plain packaging for tobacco products. MSPs and Parliament staff need to know about this history, and the limits placed on engaging with the tobacco industry.”

ENDS

For further information: Please contact Sheila Duffy on 07776 142 299

Note: Sheila Duffy will be available for ISDN interview until 4.30pm on 9^th September.

Notes to Editors:

1) Petition submitted by

Prof Derek Bell – President, Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh
Dr Peter Bennie – Chair, British Medical Association Scotland
Dr Alastair Cook – Chair, Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland
Sheila Duffy – Chief Executive, ASH Scotland
Geoff Earl – Chair, Lothian Branch Royal College of Nursing
Irene Johnstone – Head of British Lung Foundation Scotland and Northern Ireland
Martin Keeley – President REHIS
Gregor McNie – Senior Public Affairs Manager, Cancer Research UK
Prof Alan Rodger - Former Medical Director, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (retired)

2) The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the world’s first international treaty on health and was developed by the World Health Organisation. Further information can be accessed at http://www.who.int/fctc/en/)

3) A review of tobacco industry interference in health policies can be found at http://www.bath.ac.uk/ipr/policy-briefs/tobacco-companies-undermining-health-policy.html

ENDS

For further information please contact ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 or enquiries@ashscotland.org.uk Out of hours mobile 07776 142 299