Organizations Campaigning against Tobacco Consumption Want Philip Morris OUT

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The Thai-US tobacco organizations, want Philip Morris out of the US-ASEAN business Council (USABC). “Doctor Hathai” exposed that there is an undercover tobacco company hoping to join the conference with Thai government.  

Dr. Hathai Chitanondh, President of the Thailand Health Promotion institute [2] disclosed that Mr. Alexander Feldman, President of US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), has submitted a document to the Thai ambassador to Washington in America, informing about a forthcoming visit of 20 American businesses to Thailand. Their purpose is to consult with different Thai ministers in June 2010. Dr. Hathai had a deep concern for these meetings because there are tobacco companies among them, for example Philip Morris Company.

“If Thai government meets with the tobacco industry, it will breach Clause 5.3 of the Tobacco Control Convention of World Health Organization. The convention specifies that tobacco industry must not be involved in the country’s strategic plan for tobacco control. I have spoken with Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Minister of Public Health, about my concern. He has understood and acknowledged the significance of the matter”.

Dr. Hathai carried on that his institute has invited two American organizations, namely Essential Action and, Corporate Accountability International, to jointly draft a petition to Mr. Feldman requesting exclusion of Philip Morris Company from USABC. Several hundreds of members of networks for world control of tobacco consumption have signed the petition to protest against tobacco industry for submission to, Mr. Feldman, Thai minister of Foreign Affairs, Thai minister of Public Health, Thai minister of Finance, and Thai minister of Commerce.

Dr. Hathai went on to say that however, the tobacco industry can still consult with the public sector, but must adhere by the Convention. Countries which are signatories to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control must seek consultation from the public sector in writing, and the public sector will likewise answer in writing, to show that consultation has taken place with transparency.

The names of the 20 companies listed with USABC are; Boeing Company, Coca-Cola, Ford, GE, IBM, Time Warner, and three drug companies, namely Merck, Pfizer, Glaxo Smith Kline, Philip Morris Company.

Source: Thai Health Promotion Foundation