Tobacco-CHOGM Link Unacceptable

Source from:  nationmedia.com Jackie Tumwine  08/29/2007

UGANDA IS hosting the Commonwealth Business Forum ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this November. However, British American Tobacco's sponsorship and chairing of the event is unacceptable because Uganda, just like England, ratified the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to ban tobacco sponsorship, promotion and advertising. The WHO FCTC Conference last July in Bangkok, developed specific guidelines to prevent tobacco industry interference in public health policies. The development of a protocol on tobacco sponsorship, promotion and advertising (domestic and cross border) was also agreed upon. It's time we gave priority to the government's right to protect public health and say no to tobacco sponsorship. The government has already begun the spraying of mosquitoes to protect the Commonwealth delegates. How about protection against the tobacco industry? Enditem