Stop the tobacco industry:
WHO FCTC Guidelines for the Implementation of Article 5.3

The obligation to protect tobacco control policies from tobacco industry interference is embodied in Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC. The Guidelines for implementation of this Article provide clear ways to counter tobacco industry tactics.

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Recommendations

  1. Raise awareness about the addictive and harmful nature of tobacco products and about tobacco industry interference with Parties’ tobacco control policies.
  2. Establish measures to limit interactions with the tobacco industry and ensure the transparency of those interactions that occur.
  3. Reject partnerships and non-binding or non-enforceable agreements with the tobacco industry.
  4. Avoid conflicts of interest for government officials and employees.
  5. Require that information collected from the tobacco industry be transparent and accurate.
  6. Denormalize and to the extent possible, regulate activities described as “socially responsible” by the tobacco industry, including but not limited to activities described as “corporate social responsibility”.
  7. Do not give privileged treatment to tobacco companies.
  8. Treat State-owned tobacco companies in the same way as any other tobacco industry.

Enforcement

Parties should put in place enforcement mechanisms or, to the extent possible, use existing enforcement mechanisms to meet their obligations under Article 5.3 of the Convention and these guidelines.

Monitoring implementation of Article 5.3 and of the Guidelines

Nongovernmental organizations and other members of civil society not affiliated with the tobacco industry could play an essential role in monitoring the activities of the tobacco industry.

Codes of conduct or staff regulations for all branches of governments should include a “whistleblower function”, with adequate protection of whistleblowers.