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Amalia B, Astuti PAS, Cohen JE. Five years of discourse related to Indonesia tobacco control reform: a content analysis of online media coverage. Tob Control 2024:tc-2024-058661. [PMID: 39179375 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2024-058661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2017, Indonesia initiated the amendment of its 11-year-old tobacco control regulation (PP 109/2012) to reduce smoking among youth, but the process was stalled. The proposed changes in the regulation include a full ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), increasing health warning label (HWL) size and regulating electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). This study analysed the arguments and actors for and against the PP 109/2012 amendment in online media articles. METHOD Content analysis of 326 online articles reporting on the PP 109/2012 amendment published from 2018 to 2023, retrieved from the Tobacco Watcher platform. We coded articles for statements supporting or opposing the amendment (position statement), content of the arguments used to support (supporting argument) and oppose (opposing argument) the amendment, actors presenting the arguments and tobacco control measures. We iteratively reviewed and coded data and presented the frequency of categories. RESULTS Of 332 position statements, 53.3% were against the amendment. The main categories of supporting arguments (N=1448) included smoking trends (21.1%), health implications (16.6%), science-based evidence (9.6%) and protecting the population (9.2%). Opposing arguments (N=1413) emphasised the tobacco farmers' welfare (16.6%), impact on the industry (16.4%) and current regulation is sufficient (11.0%). Supporting actors were predominantly health-related entities and government officials (89.3%), while 62.1% of opposing actors included trade and Islamic groups, the tobacco industry and front groups. HWLs, e-cigarette/heated tobacco product regulation and TAPS were the main (77.8%) tobacco control measures mentioned in the proamendment arguments, while HWLs, TAPS and cigarette sale restrictions were the dominant (79.3%) tobacco control measures in anti-amendment arguments. CONCLUSION Indonesia's tobacco control reform faced opposition by false claims primarily from industry allies, resulting in a 5-year delay in enactment. Future tobacco control media advocacy must address these claims and emphasise the alignment of economic interests with public health goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beladenta Amalia
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti
- Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Udayana University Faculty of Medicine, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Joanna E Cohen
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Carriedo A, Ojeda E, Crosbie E, Mialon M. Public-Private Partnerships in Mexico: Implications of Engaging With the Food and Beverage Industry for Public Health Nutrition. Int J Health Policy Manag 2024; 13:8008. [PMID: 38618831 PMCID: PMC11016274 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2024.8008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last few years, Mexico adopted public health policies to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as front of package nutrition labelling, food marketing restrictions to children, and a soda tax. In parallel, transnational food and beverage industries (F&BIs), their allies, and the government have agreed on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to implement policies or deliver programs. However, research has questioned the benefits of PPPs and exposed its limitations as a suitable mechanism to improve public health. This study analyses how four PPPs between the Mexican government, the F&BI, and allies are working to achieve their goals. We critically assessed the objectives, scope, reported impacts, governance principles and perceived risks and benefits for the public health agenda of these PPPs. METHODS This qualitative study is based on 26 interviews with key actors, and 170 publicly available documents, including 22 obtained through freedom of information (FOI) requests related to four purposively selected PPPs aiming to improve health. RESULTS We found that the four PPPs studied had minimal public information available on their implementation and impact. The private partners tend to dictate the design, information management, and implementation of the programs, while promoting their brands. Few independent evaluations of the PPPs exist, and none reported on their effectiveness or public health benefits. Good governance principles, such as accountability, transparency, fairness, participation, integrity, and credibility, were barely followed in each of the cases studied. Public officials did not automatically question the conflict of interest (CoI) of such arrangements. When there were COI, the potential risks these posed did not always outweigh the financial benefits of working with the F&BI and its allies. CONCLUSION The four PPPs studied produced minimal gains for public health while boosting credibility for the participating transnational F&BIs. It shows the lack of awareness of how these PPPs might be hindering public health gains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enaí Ojeda
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Eric Crosbie
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
- Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
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Crosbie E, Otero Alvarez MG, Cao M, Vejar Renteria LS, Rodriguez E, Larrañaga Flota A, Carriedo A. Implementing front-of-pack nutrition warning labels in Mexico: important lessons for low- and middle-income countries. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:2149-2161. [PMID: 37519233 PMCID: PMC10564596 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023001441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) in Mexico. DESIGN Review of publicly accessible documents, including legislative websites, news sources, and government, intergovernmental, and advocacy reports. Usage of the policy cycle model to analyse the implementation and evaluation stages of Mexico's General Health Law, amended with FOPNL (2019-2022). RESULTS In October 2019, the government published a draft modification of the Norma Oficial Mexicana (Official Mexican Standard) to regulate and enforce a new FOPNL warning label system. A 60-d public consultation period followed (October-December 2019), and the regulation was published in March 2020 and implementation began in October 2020. An analysis of nine key provisions of the Standard revealed that the food and beverage industry and its allies weakened some original provisions including health claims, warnings for added sweeteners and display areas. On the other hand, local and international public health groups maintained key regulations including the ban on cartoon character advertisements, standardised portions and nutrient criteria following international best practices. Early implementation appears to have high compliance and helped contribute to reformulating unhealthy products. Continued barriers to implementation include industry efforts to create double fronts and market their cartoon characters on social media and through digitalised marketing. CONCLUSION Early success in implementing the new FOPNL system in Mexico was the result of an inclusive and participatory regulatory process dedicated to maintaining public health advances, local and international health advocacy support, and continued monitoring. Other countries proposing and enacting FOPNL should learn from the Mexican experience to maintain scientifically proven best practices, counter industry barriers and minimise delays in implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557, USA
- Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Michelle Cao
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV89557, USA
| | | | | | | | - Angela Carriedo
- Department of Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- World Public Health Nutrition Association, London, UK
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Townsend B, Tenni BF, Goldman S, Gleeson D. Public health advocacy strategies to influence policy agendas: lessons from a narrative review of success in trade policy. Global Health 2023; 19:60. [PMID: 37612767 PMCID: PMC10463651 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-00960-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite accumulating evidence of the implications of trade policy for public health, trade and health sectors continue to operate largely in silos. Numerous barriers to advancing health have been identified, including the dominance of a neoliberal paradigm, powerful private sector interests, and constraints associated with policymaking processes. Scholars and policy actors have recommended improved governance practices for trade policy, including: greater transparency and accountability; intersectoral collaboration; the use of health impact assessments; South-South networking; and mechanisms for civil society participation. These policy prescriptions have been generated from specific cases, such as the World Trade Organization's Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health or specific instances of trade-related policymaking at the national level. There has not yet been a comprehensive analysis of what enables the elevation of health goals on trade policy agendas. This narrative review seeks to address this gap by collating and analysing known studies across different levels of policymaking and different health issues. RESULTS Sixty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Health issues that received attention on trade policy agendas included: access to medicines, food nutrition and food security, tobacco control, non-communicable diseases, access to knowledge, and asbestos harm. This has occurred in instances of domestic and regional policymaking, and in bilateral, regional and global trade negotiations, as well as in trade disputes and challenges. We identified four enabling conditions for elevation of health in trade-related policymaking: favourable media attention; leadership by trade and health ministers; public support; and political party support. We identified six strategies successfully used by advocates to influence these conditions: using and translating multiple forms of evidence, acting in coalitions, strategic framing, leveraging exogenous factors, legal strategy, and shifting forums. CONCLUSION The analysis demonstrates that while technical evidence is important, political strategy is necessary for elevating health on trade agendas. The analysis provides lessons that can be explored in the wider commercial determinants of health where economic and health interests often collide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Townsend
- Australian Research Centre for Health Equity, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
| | - Brigitte Frances Tenni
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, The School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sharni Goldman
- Australian Research Centre for Health Equity, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Deborah Gleeson
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
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Crosbie E, Erinoso O, Perez S, Sebrié EM. Moving in the right direction: tobacco packaging and labeling in the Americas. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022; 46:e196. [DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2022.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. To assess the adoption of tobacco packaging and labeling policies based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)’s Article 11 guidelines, in the WHO Region of the Americas (AMRO).
Methods. We reviewed tobacco control laws in AMRO from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ Tobacco Control Laws database. We analyzed four sub-policy areas for smoked and smokeless tobacco products: 1) health warning labels (HWLs), 2) constituents and emissions (C&Es), 3) misleading tobacco packaging and labeling, and 4) standardized “plain” packaging.
Results. Of 35 countries in AMRO, 31 have tobacco packaging and labeling laws. Twenty-six countries require pictorial HWLs, 24 require warnings printed on at least 50% of the front and back of the packs, and 24 rotate a single or multiple (from 2 to 16) warnings within a specified period (from 5 up to 24 months). Only 21 countries require descriptive messages on toxic C&Es information. Twenty-seven countries ban brand descriptors with references to implied harm reduction (e.g., “light”), 24 ban figures, colors, and other signs, but only 13 prohibit emission yields printed on the packs. Only Canada and Uruguay have adopted standardized tobacco packaging while Uruguay also requires a single presentation (one brand variant) per brand family.
Conclusion. Many countries in AMRO have made good progress in adopting multiple, rotating, large pictorial HWLs and banning misleading brand descriptors. However, there needs to be greater attention on other tobacco packaging and labeling provisions with a focus on implementing standardized tobacco packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- University of Nevada Reno, Reno, United States of America
| | | | - Sara Perez
- University of Nevada Reno, Reno, United States of America
| | - Ernesto M. Sebrié
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington D.C., United States of America
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Crosbie E, Florence D, Nanthaseang M, Godoy L. Examining the policy process of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation in Ireland. Health Policy 2022; 126:738-743. [PMID: 35718666 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a growing source of weight gain, obesity, and type 2 diabetes that contain high added sugar amounts and provide minimal nutritional benefit. Taxing SSBs are effective in reducing sugar consumption and increasing awareness about health effects. The 2014 European Union Action Plan on Childhood Obesity combined with neighboring SSB tax proposals in the U.K. and France helped stimulate political discussions in Ireland. Following this momentum, in 2015, public health groups lead by the Irish Heart Foundation proposed an SSB tax with earmarked funds for public health and worked with the Irish Health Department through a whole-of-government approach to convince the Finance Department to introduce an SSB tax. These efforts resulted in the Finance Department proposing the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in September 2016, which taxes non-alcoholic, water-based and juice-based drinks, which have an added sugar content of 5g per 100mL and above. Opposing stakeholders including the Irish Beverage Council and Food & Drink Industry Ireland argued that the tax would not decrease consumption of SSBs or impact obesity, disproportionately impact individuals with a low socioeconomic background, and create illicit trade. However, health groups argued the tax would reduce sugar consumption, encourage consumers to purchase healthier options, and help reduce obesity levels. These efforts with political will helped Ireland become the 36th country in the world (9th in Europe) to implement an SSB tax policy in May 2018. While the government reportedly raised €16.5 million (20.012 million USD) in 2018 and €33 million (40.024 million USD) in 2019 from the SSDT, the tax was not earmarked for public health purposes nor has it been evaluated despite multiple requests by public health groups representing an important missed opportunity. While other countries should follow Ireland's lead in enacting an SSB tax, it is important to evaluate the tax's impact on reducing sugar consumption and ensure the tax has earmarked funds for public health to further maximize the impact of reducing sugar consumption, promoting health equity and helping curb the NCD epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA; Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
| | - Davis Florence
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Lindsey Godoy
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
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Kumar P, Barry RA, Kulkarni MM, Kamath VG, Ralston R, Collin J. Institutional tensions, corporate social responsibility and district-level governance of tobacco industry interference: analysing challenges in local implementation of Article 5.3 measures in Karnataka, India. Tob Control 2022; 31:s26-s32. [PMID: 35078910 PMCID: PMC9125366 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accelerating progress on tobacco control will require Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to be systematically integrated into policies and practices of sectors beyond health at diverse government levels. However, no study has explored implementation challenges of Article 5.3 within multilevel systems such as India, where political decisions on tobacco control occur at diverse government levels, which may constrain action at local level. METHODS Based on 33 semi-structured interviews with diverse government and civil society stakeholders across four districts in Karnataka, India (Mysore, Mangalore, Bengaluru (rural) and Udupi), this study examines challenges to implement Article 5.3 arising from competing agendas and policies of different actors at multiple levels. RESULTS Our analysis reveals generally low levels of awareness of Article 5.3 and its guideline recommendations, even among those directly involved in tobacco control at district level. Efforts to implement Article 5.3 were also challenged by competing views on the appropriate terms of engagement with industry actors. Scope to reconcile tensions across competing health, agriculture and commercial agendas was further constrained by the policies and practices of the national Tobacco Board, thereby undermining local implementation of Article 5.3. The most challenging aspect of Article 5.3 implementation was the difficulties in restricting engagement by government officials and departments with tobacco industry corporate social responsibility initiatives given national requirements for such activities among major corporations. CONCLUSIONS Promoting effective implementation of Article 5.3 in Karnataka will require policymakers to work across policy silos and reconcile tensions across India's national health and economic priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kumar
- Department of Commerce, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Rachel Ann Barry
- Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh School of Social and Political Science, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Muralidhar M Kulkarni
- Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Veena Ganesh Kamath
- Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Rob Ralston
- Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh School of Social and Political Science, Edinburgh, UK
- Spectrum Research Consortium (Shaping Public Health Policies to Reduce Inequalities and Harm), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jeff Collin
- Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh School of Social and Political Science, Edinburgh, UK
- Spectrum Research Consortium (Shaping Public Health Policies to Reduce Inequalities and Harm), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Crosbie E, Borges LC, Eckford R, Sebrié EM, Severini G, Bialous SA. Overcoming tobacco industry opposition to standardized packaging in the Americas. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022; 46:e145. [PMID: 36211244 PMCID: PMC9534348 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2022.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Countries in the Region of the Americas have been slow to adopt standardized packaging of tobacco products. The objectives of this analysis are to report on the progress made in adopting such packaging in countries in the Region, review known tobacco industry strategies for opposing these policies and discuss the resources available to academics, advocates and policy-makers who might be interested in advancing the use of standardized packaging in the Region. Of the 23 countries worldwide that have fully adopted standardized packaging laws, only 2 are in the Region (Canada and Uruguay). Six other countries (Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Panama) have tried to introduce standardized packaging through draft bills, all of which have been delayed or withdrawn. There are indications that the tobacco industry has used its playbook of arguments to oppose the policy in those countries, including allegations that standardized packaging breaches national laws and international treaties protecting intellectual property, alongside threats of litigation. It is possible that these threats and allegations may have had a greater effect in the Region because of the lengthy (6 years) and costly (legal fees of US$ 10 million) international investment arbitration brought by Philip Morris International against Uruguay's strong tobacco packaging laws. However, all of the industry's arguments have been debunked, and national courts and international legal forums have upheld standardized packaging as a lawful policy. Governments in the Region of the Americas should follow the examples of Canada and Uruguay and reject the industry's false arguments and litigation threats. This analysis discusses some of the financial and technical resources that can assist them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- School of Public HealthUniversity of NevadaRenoUnited States of AmericaSchool of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, United States of America
| | - Luciana C. Borges
- School of Public HealthUniversity of NevadaRenoUnited States of AmericaSchool of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, United States of America
| | - Robert Eckford
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free KidsWashington, D.C.United States of AmericaCampaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Ernesto M. Sebrié
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free KidsWashington, D.C.United States of AmericaCampaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Gianella Severini
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free KidsWashington, D.C.United States of AmericaCampaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Stella A. Bialous
- School of NursingUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States of AmericaSchool of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Selamoğlu M, Fawkes S, Önal AE, Gleeson D. Two steps forward, one step back: the lead up to tobacco plain packaging policy in Turkey. Health Promot Int 2022; 37:daab033. [PMID: 33729472 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Turkish government first announced its intention to proceed with tobacco plain packaging legislation in 2011; however, it was 7 years before the legislation passed in December 2018. This study (conducted in 2018 before the legislation was passed) explored the policy context in Turkey between the first announcement that plain packaging legislation would be introduced and the passage of the legislation in 2018, and identified barriers and facilitators influencing its introduction. Publicly available documents relevant to plain packaging in Turkey were analysed. Interviews were conducted in 2018 with ten key informants including academics, bureaucrats in government ministries and leaders of non-government organizations (NGOs). Thematic analysis was undertaken, using a framework for systematically analysing how issues reach the policy agenda. The introduction of plain packaging legislation proved to be problematic, with many false starts and delays. Findings suggest these were mainly due to political barriers including changes in government, tobacco industry opposition and the national economic crisis. However, plain packaging legislation in Turkey managed to advance on the policy agenda, primarily through the collaborative advocacy efforts of NGOs, academics, and leadership from particular tobacco control advocates and politicians. Turkey's experience provides lessons for the wider uptake of tobacco plain packaging legislation, illustrating the critical importance of building effective coalitions between a range of stakeholders and political support within government while raising public awareness. Lay summary This research provides insights into the barriers and facilitators of decision making and action that shaped the process of introducing tobacco plain packaging legislation in Turkey. Major barriers that slowed Turkey's progress in enacting plain packaging included the financial and national economic crisis in 2018, changes in health ministers and opposition by the tobacco industry. A major facilitator of the policy process was the collaborative advocacy efforts of non-government organizations, academics, politicians and the leadership of certain tobacco control advocates. The insights from this case study may help other low- and middle-income countries to anticipate and successfully navigate the challenges involved in introducing tobacco plain packaging, an important policy measure for reducing the burden of tobacco-related disease in their populations, and its social and economic impacts. Building effective coalitions and fostering and supporting leadership are important strategies for the successful introduction of plain packaging legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melis Selamoğlu
- Department of General Practice, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Sally Fawkes
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University VIC 3068, Australia
| | - Ayşe Emel Önal
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Beyazıt, Istanbul, 34126, Turkey
| | - Deborah Gleeson
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University VIC 3068, Australia
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Milsom P, Smith R, Baker P, Walls H. International investment liberalization, transnational corporations and NCD prevention policy non-decisions: a realist review on the political economy of tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food. Global Health 2021; 17:134. [PMID: 34819083 PMCID: PMC8611909 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00784-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public health concerns relating to international investment liberalization have centred on the potential for investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS)-related regulatory chill. However, the broader political and economic dimensions that shape the relationship between the international investment regime and non-communicable disease (NCD) policy development have been less well explored. This review aimed to synthesise the available evidence using a political economy approach, to understand why, how and under what conditions transnational corporations may use the international investment regime to promote NCD prevention policy non-decisions. MAIN BODY Methods: Mechanisms explaining why/how the international investment regime may be used by transnational health-harmful commodity corporations (THCCs) to encourage NCD prevention policy non-decisions, including regulatory chill, were iteratively developed. Six databases and relevant grey literature was searched, and evidence was extracted, synthesized and mapped against the various proposed explanatory mechanisms. FINDINGS Eighty-nine sources were included. THCCs may be incentivised to use the ISDS mechanism since the costs may be outweighed by the benefits of even just delaying regulatory adoption, particularly since the chilling effect tends to ripple out across jurisdictions. Drivers of regulatory chill may include ambiguity in treaty terms, inconsistency in arbitral rulings, potential arbitrator bias and the high cost of arbitration. Evidence indicates ISDS can delay policy adoption both within the country directly involved but also in other jurisdictions. Additionally, governments are adopting standard assessments of public health regulatory proposals for trade and ISDS risk. Various economic, political and industry-related factors likely interact to increase (or decrease) the ultimate risk of regulatory chill. Some evidence indicates that THCCs take advantage of governments' prioritization of foreign investment over NCD prevention objectives to influence the NCD prevention regulatory environment. CONCLUSIONS While ISDS-related regulatory chill is a real risk under certain conditions, international investment-related NCD prevention policy non-decisions driven by broader political economy dynamics may well be more widespread and impactful on NCD regulatory environments. There is therefore a clear need to expand the research agenda on investment liberalization and NCD policy beyond regulatory chill and engage with theories and approaches from international relations and political science, including political economy and power analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope Milsom
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London, WC1H 9SH UK
| | - Richard Smith
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Phillip Baker
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC Australia
| | - Helen Walls
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London, WC1H 9SH UK
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Immurana M, Boachie MK, Kisseih KG. Effects of foreign direct investment and trade on the prevalence of tobacco consumption in Africa: a panel study. Global Health 2021; 17:122. [PMID: 34666776 PMCID: PMC8524922 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00769-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As African governments take measures to enhance international trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows, a major concern is that, these measures can make Africa more vulnerable to the strategies of the tobacco industry. This concern is based on the fact that, each year, tobacco use is estimated to be responsible for the deaths of over eight million people in the world. However, there is very little empirical evidence to refute or confirm the above concern, especially in the African context. This study therefore investigates the effects of FDI and trade on the prevalence of tobacco consumption in Africa. Methods Data on a sample of 31 African countries for the period, 2010–2018 are used. The system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) regression model is employed as the empirical estimation technique. Results The findings show that, FDI and trade have negative and positive significant association with the prevalence of tobacco consumption respectively. These findings are robust even after using different specifications and indicators of FDI and trade. Conclusion Rising trade (and not FDI) should be of concern to African governments in the quest to reduce the prevalence of tobacco consumption on the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Immurana
- Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
| | - Micheal Kofi Boachie
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
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Duran AC, Mialon M, Crosbie E, Jensen ML, Harris JL, Batis C, Corvalán C, Taillie LS. [Soluciones relacionadas con el entorno alimentario para prevenir la obesidad infantil en América Latina y en la población latina que vive en Estados Unidos]. Obes Rev 2021; 22 Suppl 5:e13344. [PMID: 34708531 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Duran
- Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Alimentação (NEPA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brasil.,Núcleo de Pesquisas Epidemiológicas em Nutrição e Saúde, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Melissa Mialon
- Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Dublín, Irlanda
| | - Eric Crosbie
- School of Community and Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, EE. UU
| | - Melissa Lorena Jensen
- Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, EE. UU.,Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jennifer L Harris
- Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, EE. UU
| | - Carolina Batis
- CONACYT, Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Instituto de Nutricion y Tecnologia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, Carolina del Norte, EE. UU
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Milsom P, Smith R, Modisenyane SM, Walls H. Do international trade and investment agreements generate regulatory chill in public health policymaking? A case study of nutrition and alcohol policy in South Africa. Global Health 2021; 17:104. [PMID: 34488811 PMCID: PMC8422681 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00757-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trade and health scholars have raised concern that international trade and particularly investment disputes may be used by transnational health harmful commodity corporations (THCCs) to effectively generate public health regulatory chill. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the limited evidence base of trade or investment dispute-related regulatory chill using a case study of nutrition and alcohol policy in South Africa. METHODS We conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with 36 key stakeholders involved in nutrition, alcohol and/or trade/investment policymaking in South Africa. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. We used Schram et al's theory on three forms of regulatory chill (anticipatory, response and precedential) to guide the analysis. We report evidence on each form of regulatory chill as well as specific contextual factors that may influence the risk of regulatory chill. RESULTS Trade obligations were found to generate a significantly greater anticipatory-type chilling effect on nutrition and alcohol regulation than South Africa's investment treaty obligations. Response chill was reported to have occurred in relation to South Africa's proposed tobacco plain packaging regulation while awaiting the outcome of both Australia's investor-state and WTO state-state disputes. No cases were reported of THCCs threatening an investor-state dispute over nutrition or food regulations, but there were reported cases of THCCs using arguments related to South Africa's trade obligations to oppose policy action in these areas. No evidence of nutrition or alcohol policy precedential chill were identified. Factors affecting the risk of policy chill include legitimacy and perceived bias of the dispute system, costs involved in pursuing a regulation/defending a dispute and capacity to pay, social acceptability of the industry, a product's perceived risk to health and confidence in a successful dispute outcome e.g. through cross-border policy learning. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that currently, South Africa's trade obligations have a more prominent role in inhibiting nutrition and alcohol action than investment treaty-related concerns. However, given the potential for wider use of the ISDS mechanism by THCCs in the future, strategies to protect public health policy space in the context of both international trade and investment treaty and dispute settlement contexts remain important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope Milsom
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London, WC1H 9SH UK
| | - Richard Smith
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Simon Moeketsi Modisenyane
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London, WC1H 9SH UK
| | - Helen Walls
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London, WC1H 9SH UK
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Pedroza-Tobias A, Crosbie E, Mialon M, Carriedo A, Schmidt LA. Food and beverage industry interference in science and policy: efforts to block soda tax implementation in Mexico and prevent international diffusion. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005662. [PMID: 34413076 PMCID: PMC8378381 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mexico is the largest soft drink market in the world, with high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Due to strains on the nation’s productivity and healthcare spending, Mexican lawmakers implemented one of the world’s first public health taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2014. Because Mexico’s tax was designed to reduce SSB consumption, it faced strong opposition from transnational food and beverage corporations. We analysed previously secret internal industry documents from major corporations in the University of California San Francisco’s Food Industry Documents Archive that shed light on the industry response to the Mexican soda tax. We also reviewed all available studies of the Mexican soda tax’s effectiveness, contrasting the results of industry-funded and non-industry-funded studies. We found that food and beverage industry trade organisations and front groups paid scientists to produce research suggesting that the tax failed to achieve health benefits while harming the economy. These results were disseminated before non-industry-funded studies could be finalized in peer review. Mexico still provided a real-world context for the first independent peer-reviewed studies documenting the effectiveness of soda taxation—studies that were ultimately promoted by the global health community. We conclude that the case of the Mexican soda tax shows that industry resistance can persist well after new policies have become law as vested interests seek to roll back legislation, and to stall or prevent policy diffusion. It also underscores the decisive role that conflict-of-interest-free, peer-reviewed research can play in implementing health policy innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pedroza-Tobias
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eric Crosbie
- School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA.,Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Melissa Mialon
- Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Laura A Schmidt
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA .,Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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15
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Adams J, Asiasiga L, Neville S. Justifications for heavy alcohol use among gender and sexually diverse people. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:2018-2033. [PMID: 34369856 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1957492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A range of research reports that many gender and sexually diverse people drink alcohol at heavy levels. This study used 24 focus groups to explore shared understandings of alcohol use among gender and sexually diverse people living in New Zealand. An inductive, data-driven thematic analysis was employed to identify explanations for heavy drinking among gender and sexually diverse people. Three key explanations were articulated: alcohol is needed for socialising; drinking helps coping with stress; alcohol and drug treatment services are inadequate. These results demonstrate justifications for heavy drinking in certain contexts. This behaviour runs counter to public health approaches and messages that highlight low-risk levels of drinking or not drinking as desirable. Public health interventions should continue to address alcohol use at a whole population level but should be supplemented by policy and interventions that take into account the sociocultural contexts and structural conditions that encourage drinking among gender and sexually diverse people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery Adams
- SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lanuola Asiasiga
- SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stephen Neville
- Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Milsom P, Smith R, Baker P, Walls H. Corporate power and the international trade regime preventing progressive policy action on non-communicable diseases: a realist review. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:493-508. [PMID: 33276385 PMCID: PMC8128013 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transnational tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food corporations use the international trade regime to prevent policy action on non-communicable diseases (NCDs); i.e. to promote policy 'non-decisions'. Understanding policy non-decisions can be assisted by identifying power operating in relevant decision-making spaces, but trade and health research rarely explicitly engages with theories of power. This realist review aimed to synthesize evidence of different forms and mechanisms of power active in trade and health decision-making spaces to understand better why NCD policy non-decisions persist and the implications for future transformative action. We iteratively developed power-based theories explaining how transnational health-harmful commodity corporations (THCCs) utilize the international trade regime to encourage NCD policy non-decisions. To support theory development, we also developed a conceptual framework for analysing power in public health policymaking. We searched six databases and relevant grey literature and extracted, synthesized and mapped the evidence against the proposed theories. One hundred and four studies were included. Findings were presented for three key forms of power. Evidence indicates THCCs attempt to exercise instrumental power by extensive lobbying often via privileged access to trade and health decision-making spaces. When their legitimacy declines, THCCs have attempted to shift decision-making to more favourable international trade legal venues. THCCs benefit from structural power through the institutionalization of their involvement in health and trade agenda-setting processes. In terms of discursive power, THCCs effectively frame trade and health issues in ways that echo and amplify dominant neoliberal ideas. These processes may further entrench the individualization of NCDs, restrict conceivable policy solutions and perpetuate policymaking norms that privilege economic/trade interests over health. This review identifies different forms and mechanisms of power active in trade and health policy spaces that enable THCCs to prevent progressive action on NCDs. It also points to potential strategies for challenging these power dynamics and relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope Milsom
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Richard Smith
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Phillip Baker
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Melbourne, Victoria 3125 Australia
| | - Helen Walls
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SH, UK
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17
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Duran AC, Mialon M, Crosbie E, Jensen ML, Harris JL, Batis C, Corvalán C, Taillie LS. Food environment solutions for childhood obesity in Latin America and among Latinos living in the United States. Obes Rev 2021; 22 Suppl 3:e13237. [PMID: 34152071 PMCID: PMC8365715 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The food environment is a major contributor to unhealthy diets in children and, therefore, to the increasing rates of obesity. Acclaimed by scholars across the world, Latin American countries have been leaders in implementing policies that target different aspects of the food environment. Evidence on the nature and to what extent children are exposed and respond to unhealthy food environments in the region and among Latinos in the United States is, however, deficient. The objective of this review is to use the integrated International Network for Food and Obesity/noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) framework to create healthy food environment to (i) compare the key elements of childhood obesity-related food environments in Latin America and for Latinos living in the United States; (ii) describe the evidence on solutions to improve childhood obesity-related food environments; and (iii) identify research priorities to inform solutions to fight childhood obesity in these populations. We found that an integrated body of evidence is needed to inform an optimal package of policies to improve food environments to which children in Latin America and Latino children in the United States are exposed and more efficiently translate policy solutions to help curb growing childhood obesity levels across borders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Duran
- Center for Food Studies and Research (NEPA)University of CampinasCampinasBrazil
- Center for Epidemiological Studies in Nutrition and HealthUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Melissa Mialon
- Trinity Business SchoolTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Eric Crosbie
- School of Community and Health SciencesUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Melissa Lorena Jensen
- Rudd Center for Food Policy and ObesityUniversity of ConnecticutHartfordConnecticutUSA
- School of Nutrition, University of Costa RicaSan JoséCosta Rica
| | - Jennifer L. Harris
- Rudd Center for Food Policy and ObesityUniversity of ConnecticutHartfordConnecticutUSA
| | - Carolina Batis
- CONACYT, Health and Nutrition Research CenterNational Institute of Public HealthCuernavacaMexico
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Instituto de Nutricion y Tecnologia de AlimentosUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Carolina Population CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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Kim JH, Kim J, Lee S. The Application of Philip Morris' Litigation Prevention Program in South Korea. Asia Pac J Public Health 2020; 33:188-195. [PMID: 33383993 DOI: 10.1177/1010539520983160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article is aimed to identify the strategies of Philip Morris (PM, before its spin-off in 2003) and its affiliates in the intervention and prevention of tobacco litigation in South Korea. We analyzed 193 documents obtained from the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents. We found that PM organized and operated the "Litigation Prevention Program (LPP)" to create legal environments making tobacco litigation difficult to initiate and legal networks with local lawyers, media, and even competitors to effectively respond to such litigations. PM developed the LPP based on its legal strategies in the United States against tobacco litigation and disseminated them all around the world including South Korea. In 1999, the first joint action against Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Corporate (KTGC, today known as KT&G), a state-owned tobacco company, began. KTGC asked PM to support their litigation, and PM provided its legal strategies, such as sources to counter the plaintiffs' arguments, through the LPP to KTGC. In front of legal threats, tobacco companies, competitors in markets, jointly fought back the litigation in Korea. Any litigation against a single local tobacco company may confront legal networks of tobacco companies. As a result, no litigation against tobacco companies in South Korea has been able to win over tobacco companies. International legal support including the development of guidelines of Article 19 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is vital for an effective legal fight against tobacco companies around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyung Kim
- Northeast Asia Center & Seoul National University Asia Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Sungkyu Lee
- Korea Center for Tobacco Control Research and Eduction, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,National Health Promotion Research Institute, Gradute School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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19
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Bhatta DN, Bialous S, Crosbie E, Glantz S. Exceeding WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Obligations: Nepal Overcoming Tobacco Industry Interference to Enact a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Policy. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:2213-2223. [PMID: 31535694 PMCID: PMC7733065 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tobacco industry works to block, delay, and weaken national tobacco control legislation to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This article reviews how Nepal overcame industry opposition and to a comprehensive tobacco control law implementing the FCTC. METHODS We triangulated newspaper articles and policy documents with key informant interviews. RESULTS With the support of international health groups, local tobacco control advocates worked with policymakers in Nepal to pass a comprehensive tobacco control law that exceeded FCTC obligations. The tobacco industry exploited a time of political transition to block consideration by Parliament, arranged and sponsored foreign tours for legislators, made death threats to tobacco control advocates and their families, and argued for the economic importance of tobacco farms. Despite strong interference from Health, and Law and Justice ministers, a 2009 Supreme Court ruling helped tobacco control advocates secure a comprehensive tobacco control law in 2011 that included rotating pictorial health warning labels covering 75% of both sides of cigarette packages, 100% smoke free public places and workplaces, private homes and vehicles, and a tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship ban. CONCLUSIONS Advocates in developing countries should utilize Nepal's experience to reject tobacco industry offers of compromise and continue educating politicians and legislators to generate political support to pass a comprehensive tobacco control law. Technical and financial support from international agencies, and effective collaboration and coordination of civil societies, and utilization of domestic litigation are helpful in LMICs where governance is weak (the abstract in Nepali is available as a Supplementary Material). IMPLICATIONS The tobacco industry exploited a time of political transition in Nepal in its effort to block comprehensive tobacco control policy in Parliament by sponsoring foreign tours of legislatures, making death threats to tobacco control advocates and their families, and arguing for the economic importance of tobacco farms. Tobacco control advocates used litigation to raise awareness and educate legislators and promote strong legislation with the involvement of international health groups. Technical and financial support from international agencies, and effective collaboration and coordination of civil societies, and utilization of domestic litigation are helpful in LMICs where governance is weak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharma N Bhatta
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Global Cancer Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Stella Bialous
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Global Cancer Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Eric Crosbie
- School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
| | - Stanton Glantz
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Global Cancer Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Medicine, Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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20
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'I had never seen so many lobbyists': food industry political practices during the development of a new nutrition front-of-pack labelling system in Colombia. Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:2737-2745. [PMID: 32819452 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020002268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and monitor food industry use of political practices during the adoption of nutrition warning labels (WL) in Colombia. DESIGN Document analysis of publicly available information triangulated with interviews. SETTING Colombia. PARTICIPANTS Eighteen key informants from the government (n 2), academia (n 1), civil society (n 12), the media (n 2) and a former food industry employee (n 1). RESULTS In Colombia, the food industry used experts and groups funded by large transnationals to promote its preferred front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPL) and discredit the proposed warning models. The industry criticised the proposed WL, discussing the negative impacts they would have on trade, the excessive costs required to implement them and the fact that consumers were responsible for making the right choices about what to eat. Food industry actors also interacted with the government and former members of large trade associations now in decision-making positions in the public sector. The Codex Alimentarius was also a platform through which the industry got access to decision-making and could influence the FOPL policy. CONCLUSIONS In Colombia, the food industry used a broad range of political strategies that could have negatively influenced the FOPL policy process. Despite this influence, the mandatory use of WL was announced in February 2020. There is an urgent need to condemn such political practices as they still could prevent the implementation of other internationally recommended measures to improve population health in the country and abroad, nutrition WL being only of them.
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Kidgell D, Hills D, Griffiths D, Endacott R. Trade agreements and the risks for the nursing workforce, nursing practice and public health: A scoping review. Int J Nurs Stud 2020; 109:103676. [PMID: 32603925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trade agreements in the 21st century have evolved to include provisions that affect domestic public policy and public health in signatory countries. There are growing calls for health professionals and public health advocates to pursue an active advisory role in trade negotiations in order to anticipate and prevent negative outcomes for health services and public health. AIM This scoping review explored current literature to identify existing knowledge of the implications of trade agreements for the nursing workforce, nursing practice and public health using as an example the 2018 'Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership'. DESIGN Scoping review DATA SOURCES: Emerald Insight, Informit, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and a number of specialist Economics, International Trade and Business, and International Relations databases. Grey literature included national and international policy documents. REVIEW METHOD Literature was selected according to extraction field criteria, supplemented by hand searching of relevant grey literature and snowballing references from the selected literature reference lists. Analysis was undertaken to identify key themes emerging from the literature. REVIEW RESULTS Six key themes relevant to nursing workforce, nursing practice or public health were 1. Lack of consultation with public health and health professionals in trade negotiations; 2. Implications of strengthened intellectual property provisions for equitable access to medicines (including biologics) and medical devices; 3. Threats to government capacity to regulate domestic policy for public health and health services through 'Investor State Dispute Settlement' provisions 4. Threats to government capacity to regulate domestic policy for public health and health services through 'Regulatory Coherence' 5. Potential limited benefits to communities and increased health inequities 6. Potential implications of increased temporary migration. Gaps were identified in the literature for implications for nursing practice and the nursing workforce from regulatory and labour provisions of trade agreements. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of the literature reviewed is of international importance for the nursing workforce, nursing practice and public health. Policymakers must anticipate and respond to how the inclusion of labour or regulatory provisions in trade agreements will affect nursing practice and the nursing workforce, and how this may subsequently impact on the health of communities globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianna Kidgell
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Danny Hills
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, Federation University Australia, P.O. Box 663, Ballarat, Victoria 3353, Australia
| | - Debra Griffiths
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Ruth Endacott
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL48AA, United Kingdom
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22
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Response to the letter to the editor regarding: Removing the last billboard for the tobacco industry: Tobacco standardized packaging in Ireland. Health Policy 2020; 124:115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Removing the last billboard for the tobacco industry: Tobacco standardized packaging in Ireland. Health Policy 2019; 123:932-935. [PMID: 31327545 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) implementation guidelines recommend that governments adopt plain packaging (also known as standardized packaging (SP)) along with pictorial health warning labels covering 50% or more of the tobacco package. The 2014 revised European Union Tobacco Product Directive also supports EU member states to introduce SP. Following these developments and recommendations, in 2013 the Department of Health launched a "Tobacco Free Ireland" policy which aimed to reduce the smoking prevalence rate to less than 5% by 2025. Tobacco Free Ireland set out 60 recommendations and measures to reach the 2025 target, including introducing SP. Tobacco companies and trademark and intellectual property organizations opposed the SP proposal claiming it would; 1) not work to reduce smoking levels, 2) increase illicit tobacco trade, 3) create unnecessary problems for retailers, and 4) violate domestic and international laws governing trademarks. However leading health groups in Ireland presented evidence on how SP would communicate the harms of tobacco to smokers and discourage young people from beginning to smoke. These efforts combined with strong political will helped Ireland to become the second country in the world to enact standardized packaging for all tobacco products.
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Jarman H. Normalizing Tobacco? The Politics of Trade, Investment, and Tobacco Control. Milbank Q 2019; 97:449-479. [PMID: 31099058 DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.12393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Policy Points Tobacco industry denormalization is a key strategy for tobacco control that has been formalized in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. International trade and investment laws are a potential threat to tobacco industry denormalization because they do not automatically incorporate denormalization and, in theory, treat tobacco firms like other commercial interests. Countries that seek to defend tobacco control policies against international trade and investment challenges need to have good governance in two senses: good governance as understood by tribunals and good-enough governance to manage the processes and requirements that enable policies to survive international challenges. CONTEXT Tobacco industry denormalization (TID), portraying tobacco product manufacturers as a deadly industry, is a major strategy for public health advocates. Using this strategy, activists around the world have successfully pushed for governments to enact tobacco control regulations, including the unprecedented international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). TID has been a distinctive legal and political strategy that has affected the place of tobacco in law and has both inspired and constrained those who would imitate the strategy in other areas of regulation, such as diet or alcohol. It is therefore a case study in the creation of a distinctive legal approach and of threats to that approach from the changing role of world trade and investment law, which creates a new set of venues that tobacco industry advocates can use to redefine tobacco as a normal good and to seek out "fair and equitable treatment" for their industry. METHODS I review legal and policy documents pertaining to two major challenges to tobacco control policies in Australia and Uruguay aimed at controlling industry branding. FINDINGS International trade and investment law challenges TID and raises fundamental questions about the role of the state in protecting public health. Recent trade disputes involving Uruguay and Australia illustrate this dynamic. Despite losing high-court challenges against packaging regulations in both countries, tobacco firms were still able to challenge states in a different way, through international trade and investment agreements. This article identifies the industry's strategies and the responses of those seeking to avoid renormalizing tobacco as a part of world trade. In particular, states must demonstrate that their tobacco control policies satisfy standards set by tribunals, which include standards of good governance, and they must prepare their policies in a way that reduces legal risk and requires good governance. CONCLUSIONS Although TID has strengthened the hand of tobacco control advocates, TID strategies alone are not sufficient to defend public regulations against extraterritorial legal challenges in an arena that resists the basic TID technique of singling out a particular industry. Public health advocates might also note the FCTC's aid in helping governments defend themselves against these challenges and consider similar international instruments for other areas.
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Crosbie E, Eckford R, Bialous S. Containing diffusion: the tobacco industry's multipronged trade strategy to block tobacco standardised packaging. Tob Control 2019; 28:195-205. [PMID: 29680829 PMCID: PMC6196123 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2017-054227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the tobacco industry's strategy of using trade and investment agreements to prevent the global diffusion of standardised packaging (SP) of tobacco products. METHODS Review of tobacco industry documents, relevant government documents and media items. The data were triangulated and thematically analysed. RESULTS Internal tobacco industry documents reveal that during the early 1990s, tobacco companies developed a multipronged trade strategy to prevent the global diffusion of progressive tobacco packaging and labelling proposals, including SP. This strategy consisted of (1) framing the health issue in terms of trade and investment, (2) detailing alleged legal violations concerning trade barriers, intellectual property and investment rights, (3) threatening legal suits and reputational damage, and (4) garnering third-party support. These efforts helped delay SP until 2010 when Australia became the first country to reintroduce SP proposals, followed by governments in the UK and New Zealand in 2012, Ireland in 2013 and France in 2014. Review of government documents and media sources in each of the five countries indicate the industry continues to employ this multipronged strategy throughout the SP policy's progression. Although this strategy is tailored towards each domestic context, the overall tobacco industry's trade strategy remains consistently focused on shifting the attention away from public health and towards the realm of trade and investment with more corporate-friendly allies. CONCLUSION Governments seeking to implement SP need to be prepared to resist and counter the industry's multipronged trade strategy by avoiding trade diversions, exposing false industry legal and reputational claims, and monitoring third-party support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Robert Eckford
- International Legal Consortium Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stella Bialous
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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Crosbie E, Thomson G. Regulatory chills: tobacco industry legal threats and the politics of tobacco standardised packaging in New Zealand. THE NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL 2018; 131:25-41. [PMID: 29649194 PMCID: PMC6490166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To describe the process of enacting tobacco standardised packaging (SP) amidst tobacco industry legal threats in New Zealand. METHODS Relevant government and NGO documents, and media items were reviewed. Policymakers and health advocates in New Zealand were interviewed. The data were triangulated and thematically analysed. RESULTS In 2011, the New Zealand Government announced the goal of becoming a smokefree country (reducing smoking prevalence to 5%) by the year 2025, and considered adopting SP. In April 2012, the Government announced it would introduce SP, but tobacco companies threatened the Government with litigation in international courts for violating investment and intellectual property rights. In response, the Government adopted a 'wait and see' approach, waiting until two legal challenges against Australia's SP law were resolved before it enacted its legislation in September 2016. Health advocates, limited due to funding constraints, attempted to alter the Government's approach to the legal threats without success. Interviews with policymakers and health advocates confirmed these threats helped produce a regulatory chill, delaying the policymaking process by three years. CONCLUSION The New Zealand case illustrates how the threat of a potential international lawsuit can create a chilling effect by helping delay the implementation of public health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Crosbie
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - George Thomson
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington
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