Addressing tobacco industry influence in tobacco-growing countries
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00429686
eISSN
15640604
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85181416702
Pubmed ID
38164327
Journal Title
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume
102
Issue
1
Start Page
58
End Page
64
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Bulletin of the World Health Organization Vol.102 No.1 (2024) , 58-64
Suggested Citation
Lencucha R.A., Vichit-Vadakan N., Patanavanich R., Ralston R. Addressing tobacco industry influence in tobacco-growing countries. Bulletin of the World Health Organization Vol.102 No.1 (2024) , 58-64. 64. doi:10.2471/BLT.23.290219 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95739
Title
Addressing tobacco industry influence in tobacco-growing countries
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Protecting policy-making from tobacco industry influence is central to effective tobacco control governance. The inclusion of industry actors as stakeholders in policy processes remains a crucial avenue to corporate influence. This influence is reinforced by the idea that the tobacco industry is a legitimate partner to government in regulatory governance. Addressing the influence of the tobacco industry demands a focus on the government institutions that formalize relationships between industry and policy-makers. Industry involvement in government institutions is particularly relevant in tobacco-growing countries, where sectors of government actively support tobacco as an economic commodity. In this paper, we discuss how controlling tobacco industry influence requires unique consideration in tobacco-growing countries. In these countries, there is a diverse array of companies that support tobacco production, including suppliers of seeds, equipment and chemicals, as well as transportation, leaf buying and processing, and manufacturing companies. The range of companies that operate in these contexts is particular and so is their engagement within political institutions. For governments wanting to support alternatives to tobacco growing (Article 17 of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control), we illustrate how implementing Article 5.3, aimed at protecting tobacco control policies from tobacco industry interference, is fundamental in these countries. Integrating Article 5.3 with Article 17 will (i) strengthen policy coherence, ensuring that alternative livelihood policies are not undermined by tobacco industry interference; (ii) foster cross-sector collaboration addressing both tobacco industry interference and livelihood development; and (iii) enhance accountability and transparency in tobacco control efforts.