The ITP was adopted in 2012 by the World Health Organisation to tackle tobacco smuggling and make transnational tobacco companies accountable for their involvement. These studies were used to systematically oppose tobacco tax increases in Asean countries and recommended that governments work with tobacco companies to tackle smuggling. “The tobacco industry often claims to be the victim of smuggled and counterfeit tobacco, despite the growing evidence from government investigations, whistleblowers, and leaked tobacco industry documents that all suggest ongoing industry involvement. Any claims by tobacco companies about smuggling are dubious, and tobacco companies should be investigated and held to account for smuggling,” said Dr Ulysses Dorotheo of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance. The paper published yesterday in the Tobacco Control journal calls on governments and international bodies to crack down on tactics of Big Tobacco and instead ensure that systems to control tobacco smuggling are free of industry influence.

Source: The Nation Bangkok June 15, 2018 18:00 UTC