British Diplomat in hot water over Tobacco Lobbying Allegations

Source from:  ARY NEWS 04/21/2015

A British diplomat is facing allegations of lobbying with a tobacco giant in persuading another government to limit health warnings on cigarette packets.

United Kingdom's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Philip Burton, is facing charges of being involved in a meeting between Pakistani government officials and the British American Tobacco delegation. Burton is facing criticism for being part of the British American Tobacco (BAT) delegation and the meeting was intended to convince the Pakistani government to not include larger graphic warnings on cigarette packets. Currently, cigarette packets being sold in Pakistan are covered up to 40% with graphic health warnings. The government in Pakistan had announced measures that it would undertaker to ensure that cigarette packets would now be displayed over 85% of the packet.

The meeting provoked swift criticism from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) a public health charity in UK. Slamming Burton's presence as part of the BAT delegation in the meeting, the public health charity termed the actions of the High Commissioner as 'appalling'.

ASH Chief Executive Deborah Arnott had demanded that the High Commissioner issue a public apology for hypocritical behavior, in a bid to lobby for measures in Pakistan which had already been banned in United Kingdom.

ASH Chief Executive Deborah Arnott, in an exclusive letter penned to the British Diplomatic Services and Pakistan's National Health Services Ministry, ASH, stated: "We think it is indefensible that the high commissioner should have participated in tobacco industry's lobbying to prevent Pakistan putting in place measures that the UK has already implemented."

The British High Commission was also quick to respond, with its spokesperson dismissing the allegations and reiterating the High commissioner's resolve in implementation of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Action on Smoking and Health responded by posting an online petition that asked the British government to apologize for its action. Furthermore, they also posted a picture of Burton sitting next to the  group head of British American Tobacco. The meeting also features Pakistani government officials and the BAT delegation. Enditem