Latest African tobacco industry interference news
Checkout the latest Tobacco Industry Interference Updates in our August Bulletin
The latest bulletin highlights significant concerns over the tobacco industry’s influence on policymaking in Africa. In South Africa, the Public Health Association of South Africa raises concerns about conflicts of interest during the Parliamentary Health Portfolio Committee hearing on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. While in Zimbabwe, the tobacco industry continues […]
The Glamour Trap: Celebrity Endorsement and Vape Marketing
The tobacco industry has always been a master of reinvention and in the vaping era, it’s getting craftier than ever. One of its latest tricks? Wrapping nicotine in the glitter of celebrity fame. Vape companies are now teaming up with big names in music, sport, and entertainment to sell more than just a product – […]
Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM)
Building Capacity in Industry Monitoring for Effective Tobacco Control Advocacy in Africa (BETA 3.0)’ course CALL FOR APPLICATIONS The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) at University of Pretoria in collaboration with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) is proud to announce a capacity-building training course on tobacco industry monitoring and […]
“Protecting South Africans from tobacco is no foreign agenda” says the ATIM Director -Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf
Vaping among young people has reached an all-time high, The passage of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is a decisive moment for public health in South Africa. Yet, as we edge closer to enacting life-saving legislation, a familiar narrative has emerged, one that is designed to sow confusion and delay progress. […]
“The tobacco industry’s focus on young customers through its marketing tactics “says experts from ATIM and Heart and Stroke Foundation
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY: ‘Africa is facing a tobacco epidemic, fuelled by product manipulation, marketing and weak regulation’
World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on 31 May to raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use. This year, the campaign aims to reveal the tactics employed by the tobacco and nicotine industries to make their products appealing, especially to young people “Tobacco use is responsible for 8 million deaths globally […]
Strengthening Tobacco Control in Eswatini: ATIM Facilitates Capacity-Building Workshop
The Ministry of Health Eswatini, a beneficiary of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) 2030 Project, continues to advance its tobacco control efforts by leveraging the framework to accelerate the implementation of the Convention. Recognizing the urgent need for a whole-of-government approach to tackle the tobacco epidemic, the Ministry established the multisectoral […]
Empowering Africa’s Tobacco Control Advocates: ATIM Hosts a Training in Entebbe Uganda on Tobacco Industry Monitoring for Effective Tobacco Control Policy Advocacy
As the Tobacco Industry continues to aggressively expands its reach across Africa with e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches often disguised as “safer alternatives”—the need for a well-coordinated, informed response has never been more urgent. These novel tobacco and nicotine products (NTPs) are rapidly gaining ground, targeting young people and exploiting regulatory loopholes, especially in […]
What is Article 5.3 and why is it important?
Understanding the convention articles
Article 5.3 is the section of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control which provides guidance on how to handle interference from the tobacco industry. There are four principles:
* There is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and public health policy interests.
* Parties, when dealing with the tobacco industry or those working to further its interests, should be accountable and transparent.
* Parties should require the tobacco industry and those working to further its interests to operate and act in a manner that is accountable and transparent.
* Because their products are lethal, the tobacco industry should not be granted incentives to establish or run their businesses.
Under these guidelines, there are eight recommendations. These include:
* Raise awareness about tobacco industry interference among all those working in all branches of government and among the public.
* Avoid any interaction with the tobacco industry except where necessary to enable them to effectively regulate tobacco products and the tobacco industry. Where interactions do take place, they must be conducted transparently.
* Reject partnerships, non-binding or non-enforceable agreements with the industry, including voluntary codes of conduct, industry-sponsored tobacco control initiatives or industry offers to assist with the development of tobacco control legislation or policy.
* Develop clear policies on avoidance of conflicts of interest for government officials, employees, consultants and contractors. A wide range of specific steps are recommended within the guidelines.
* Require disclosure of information by the tobacco industry to promote transparency. This must include tobacco production, manufacture, sales and content, as well as industry lobbying, philanthropy, political donations.
* Denormalise and regulate activities described by the industry as “socially responsible” and expose the real intent – such as making the industry seem benevolent towards the population – behind these activities. ‚
* Do not give any benefits, tax exemptions or other incentives to the tobacco industry.
* Treat any state-owned tobacco industry no differently from privately-owned tobacco companies