, exploiting opportunities provided by the infectious disease to engage with government bodies and capitalised on the vulnerability of several African countries facing a shortage of resources, a new report has stated.
“The tobacco industry, in at least five countries, engaged in high levels of unnecessary interactions with governments. These took the form of trade and partnerships, enforcement of laws, social activities and economic development agenda.”Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control seeks to protect tobacco control policies from being influenced by the tobacco industry.
The report said tobacco companies handed scholarships to poor students, funded poverty alleviation projects, and supported governments during natural disasters. “The FCTC in Article 1 highlights that such contributions fall within the definition of tobacco sponsorship and should be prohibited as part of a comprehensive ban, because the aim, effect or likely effect of such a contribution is to promote a tobacco product or tobacco use either directly or indirectly.”All parties to the WHO FCTC are required by Article 5.