JTI says WHO risks breaking own rules by leaving out stakeholders

MANILA, Philippines - Japan Tobacco International (JTI) said the World Health Organization risks of breaking its own rules if industry members and the media would continue to be left out of tobacco-related discussions.

In a statement, JTI reiterated the position of leading international law expert Sir Franklin Berman that the exclusion of the public at the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP6) in Moscow from Oct. 13 to 18 this year.

 Berman noted that the WHO could not use Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control as a justification for exclusion at the conference.

Art. 5.3 of the FCTC aims to protect policy decision-making from undue influence.

“Businesses like ours bring expertise to the table and should be able to contribute to the development of policies that concern our industry,” said Michiel Reerink, JTI Global Regulatory Strategy vice president.

“Any moves to shut out the public again during the COP6 proceedings in Moscow would show a worrying lack of integrity at the heart of the COP process, not to mention serve as another demonstration of the WHO FCTC ‘breaking its own rules,” Reerink said.

Among the topics to be discussed during the COP 6 include the implementation of Art. 5.3 of the FCTC; participation of the members of the public in the sessions of the COP and its subsidiary bodies, and possible amendment to the Rules of Procedure of COP .

The presence of these items on the agenda provides a unique opportunity for the WHO and COP to make significant improvements to the transparency and inclusivity of the COP process.

The FCTC COP meeting is held to review compliance and implementation of signatory countries to the provisions set forth in the WHO FCTC Convention.

The Philippines is a signatory to the FCTC treaty, which rolls out regulations and measures aimed at reducing smoking.

JTI, is a leading global tobacco player, making renowned brands such as Camel, Winston and Mevius (Mild Seven). Other global brands include Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, Sobranie, Glamour and LD.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI has operations in more than 120 countries.  It registered core revenues of $12.3 billion as of the end of December last year.