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HealthJustice Statement on the signing of the Graphic Health Warning Law
July 23, 2014
Primer on Good Governance Tobacco Control
August 27, 2014

HealthJustice joins call to reject tobacco company participation in monitoring illicit trade

Published by hj on August 4, 2014
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  • Press Release
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HealthJustice (HJ) disputes the claim of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC) that there is a need for the government authorities to cooperate with tobacco manufacturers in addressing illicit tobacco trade issues.

 

Irene Reyes, Managing Director of HealthJustice says, “There is a clear conflict of interest to allow tobacco companies to participate in government measures that are designed primarily to regulate them. This is also a violation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).” Article 5.3 of the FCTC and its Guidelines explicitly states that there is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and public health policy interests.

 

Parties are urged to protect the formulation and implementation of public health policies for tobacco control from the tobacco industry to the greatest extent possible. The FCTC also states that the Parties should reject any partnerships with the tobacco industry.

 

PMFTC has continuously cited a report done by the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC) and Oxford Economics in claiming that the government lost billions in revenue due to illicit tobacco trade. The said report has been debunked by Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) for its flawed methodology and skewed results favoring the tobacco companies’ positions.

 

ITIC’s independence to conduct the study was also seriously questioned given that its sponsors include leading transnational tobacco companies and Philip Morris International commissioned the study. “It’s really appalling how tobacco companies keep using the flawed report, funded by Philip Morris International, to recommend measures that will be favorable to them.

 

We must keep in mind that these companies want to protect their own interests in promoting deadly products, which runs counter to the government’s mandate to protect the life and health of its people,” Atty. Reyes added.

 

The government meanwhile has started its own system to address illicit tobacco trade.

 

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has announced the implementation of the Internal Revenue Stamps Integrated System (IRSIS) project which will have a pilot run this month. Under the system, cigarette manufacturers will need certification that they have paid due taxes before they can be provided with stamps required in all cigarette packs released to the market. Reyes said, “We commend the government in its initiative to enforce a tax stamp system to counter illicit cigarette trade.

 

We hope that the government will not give in to pressure and continue to keep tobacco companies’ hands off the implementation of effective tobacco control measures.”

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HealthJustice is a public health think tank that aims to bridge the gap between health and law to empower Filipinos to make healthy choices. The founding members of HealthJustice include doctors, lawyers, and economists who have been recognized for their services in both the private and public sector.

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HealthJustice is a public health think tank that aims to bridge the gap between health and law to empower Filipinos to make healthy choices. The founding members of HealthJustice include doctors, lawyers, and economists who have been recognized for their services in both the private and public sector.

Our Partners

  • World Health Organization
  • Department of Health
  • Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance
  • Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
  • Global Center for Good Governance
  • NCD Alliance

Contact Us

  • Room 106-B Philippine Social Science Center
    Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City
  • (+632) 8709 7503
  • info@healthjustice.ph
  • healthjustice.ph@gmail.com

Follow Us

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