WHO calls for more controls to restrict the use of snuff.
GENEVA (Reuters) – Governments must do more to protect workers in bars, restaurants and entertainment venues of cigarette smoke harmful and restrict advertising and sponsorship of snuff products, said Friday the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Developing countries are the new horizons for the tobacco companies, which often target women, while the number of smokers among the poor in rich countries remain high.
The snuff causes 5 million deaths per year from cardiovascular disease, various cancers, diabetes and other chronic conditions, including 600,000 by secondhand smoke, according to the UN agency.
“The most alarming of all is that snuff consumption is increasing in several developing countries. If the (percentage) has been declining in some parts of the world is advancing in others,” said Margaret Chan, director general of WHO, in a meeting to review the implementation of a landmark treaty five years after enactment.
“As we all know, the tobacco industry is ruthless, cunning, rich and powerful,” he said.
The Framework Convention for the Control of Snuff, which is being reviewed by WHO, is the first and only public health treaty was ratified by 168 countries, including China.
The document commits governments to protect their populations from exposure to tobacco smoke, snuff and reducing demand through measures to increase the price and taxation, regulating the packaging and labeling and restrict advertising.
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But the control of WHO revealed major shortcomings in implementing the treaty.
“For example, just over 5 percent of the global population is protected by national laws against snuff,” said Chan.
Indonesia, the fourth most populous nation in the world, USA and Zimbabwe, a producer of snuff, are among those left out of the international pact.
Many countries have implemented bans against smoking in government buildings and health institutions, but these controls are much less presence in the areas of entertainment and hospitality.
Taxes on snuff are the most effective way to reduce consumption, but only 21 countries have a greater tax burden to 75 percent of the purchase price, said Chan.
Less than a third of the members of the treaty restricting the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of snuff products, WHO said.
The main obstacle to full implementation of the treaty remains the interference of the tobacco industry, activist groups said in a statement.
“The giant tobacco companies promote their addictive and deadly product to children through images like the Marlboro Man Philip Morris sponsorship of rock concerts and sporting events and putting names and logos of cigarette brands in all types of merchandise, from shirts to umbrellas “they said.
Philip Morris International, which sells Marlboro cigarettes and is the largest non-state tobacco firm in the world, refused to comment on Chan’s comments, but said he supported regulation and many of the provisions of the treaty.
“We really hope that the process focuses on the implementation of effective regulations, including measures to reduce consumption by young people and the smuggling of snuff products in order to reduce the harm caused by smoking,” said spokesman Ben Russell Reuters.
