Ireland Department of Health’s letter on obligation under WHO FCTC Article 5.3

Ireland’s Minister of Health has issued a letter to promote the obligations under the WHO FCTC Article 5.3 to the Taoiseach (equivalent to the Head of Government in Ireland) and the Minister of Defense. The letter includes the following elements: strict conditions under which to meet with the industry, rejection of any partnership with the tobacco industry, avoiding conflict of interest, and not granting preferential treatment to the industry. The letter applies to all public officials. This is an outstanding practice of raising awareness on Article 5.3 to the whole of government.

Poland Ministry of Health letter warning academe about the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW)

The Ministry of Health considers FSFW as part of the tobacco industry and issued a letter warning all academic and research institutions to be wary of FSFW-funded research.

United Kingdom’s revised guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry

The Department of Health has decided to be more prescriptive in relation to the provision of support to the tobacco industry in order to ensure that any such support is consistent with the WHO FCTC. The UK government takes very seriously its obligations as an FCTC Party. This includes its FCTC commitment, particularly on Article 5.3, to protect public health policies with respect to tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

Posts should limit interactions with the tobacco industry, including any person or organization that is likely to be working to further the interests of the industry. In the event that interactions with the tobacco industry are necessary, these should be conducted with maximum transparency to demonstrate compliance with the FCTC.

Posts must not:

• Be involved in activities with the specific purpose of promoting the sale of tobacco or tobacco-related products (including promotional goods).
• Encourage investment in the tobacco industry, or provide any assistance in helping tobacco companies influence non-discriminatory local business policies to their advantage (e.g., taxation, plain/standardized packaging, etc.).
• Accept any direct or indirect funding from the tobacco industry.

Vietnam Ministry of Health memo re WHO recommendation on non-cooperation with the PMI-funded Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

The Ministry of Health issued a memo calling on the cabinet, local government, and mass organizations to coordinate the implementation of the WHO recommendation and to inform governments and health communities not to cooperate with FSFW.