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News analysis...... Tob Control: first published as on 24 November 2004. Downloaded from

As to how the appointment could ever public places. In a letter about the European Union: shock have happened, one answer may lie in vehicles to the British Medical Journal, that familiar problem whereby those Professor Hiroshi Kawane from the at Rylander guarding the corridors of power have Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima College appointment little detailed knowledge of what goes of Nursing shrewdly observed, ‘‘I think Almost anyone toiling at the coal face of on outside in the real world, and most second-hand smoke combined with knows the name of important, fail to consult those who do. exhaust fumes from SmoCar has Ragnar Rylander, and for the most It can only be hoped that this time, become a health hazard for non- alarming of reasons. Therefore, how some hard lessons will be learned. With smokers in the vicinity of the car’’. could the Swedish scientist have been millions of documents Meanwhile, something similar has appointed to the Scientific Committee now available—including, incidentally, appeared in India. Godfrey Phillips, on Health and Environmental Risks of over 16 000 relating to Rylander—and Indian subsidiary of Philip Morris, the European Commission, the secret- communication between health advo- launched a similar mobile smoking ariat of the European Union? How could cates around the world easier and lounge in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), advisers to Health Commissioner David quicker than in anyone’s wildest dreams which was parked at various landmark Byrne, renowned for his strong leader- just a decade ago, it now takes only sites for a few days each, followed by ship on tobacco control, have failed to moments to check out the credentials of appearances in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and note the widespread publicity given to almost all individuals being considered Baroda. While apparently more inspired Rylander over recent years? This was for such posts, especially when their by function than the stylish design of especially notorious in the period when credentials are unclear. If only they had the Smocar, they are scheduled to be he was first exposed for his longstand- just asked… taken to several southern Indian cities ing, covert association with Philip over the few months. The vehicles Morris, then his defamation case display statutory health warnings and against his detractors, and finally their Japan, India: mobile smokers are allowed to use them for 15– successful appeal. smoking vans 20 minutes. Entry is free and people using them can smoke their own cigar- http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/ After that, one would have thought Japan Tobacco (JT) has launched he might have quietly retired, say to a ettes or buy them inside the van, along mobile trailers called Smocars for smo- with soft drinks. remote Swedish lakeside retreat, to kers to smoke in even when it is not contemplate his years of secret service allowed in public places. Based on the to the corporate corruptors of the classic Airstream holiday caravan from Brazil: growers’ lobby scientific literature, especially on passive the USA, Smocars have been spotted at smoking. Instead, Rylander not only put locations throughout Japan over the stalls FCTC himself forward for appointment, but past year. JT says it has developed them Brazil played a major leadership role robustly denied any wrongdoing when as part of its initiative for ‘‘increased co- during the negotiations of the World health agencies began a campaign of existence between smokers and non- Health Organization’s Framework protest letters to Commissioner Byrne smokers in public spaces’’. At last Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO last July. He even tried to telephone winter’s Sapporo Snow Festival, where FCTC). Since the mid 1990s, the coun- on September 29, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. some of those behind the campaign, the Smocar was just one part of a large try’s national tobacco control policy has apparently unable to understand that JT presence, children taken into the car gained impetus, and the latest house- the appeal court judgement mentioning were given free soft drinks. More hold based survey shows that regular his ‘‘scientific cheating without equal’’ usually, Smocar is parked in areas such adult (15+) smoking is declining, with and his lack of hesitation to ‘‘abuse as Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward, which has an current overall prevalence estimated at science in the interests of capitalistic unusually tough ban on smoking in 19%. Brazil signed the WHO FCTC in profit’’, might be fair cause for their concern. The result of the appointment, when the news became known among health groups around the world, was a barrage of protest letters to Commissioner Byrne, and presumably, some fairly red faces in Brussels. The wheels of bureau- cracy creaked into action to investigate the appointment, and in October, the EU Commission adopted a decision to revoke it.

All articles written by David Simpson unless otherwise attributed. Ideas and items for News Analysis should be sent to: [email protected] A mobile smoking van, Smocar, providing a place for smokers in Japan to smoke. Children are also allowed into the van, and given soft drinks.

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June 2003 and despite its significant Agriculture, Health, Foreign Affairs, and tobacco growing, manufacture, and Commerce. It also scheduled meetings exports, it was expected to ratify. with the governors of tobacco growing Tob Control: first published as on 24 November 2004. Downloaded from However, ratification is proving to be a states. In September, members of an bumpier road to travel. Afubra delegation at a technical In May 2004, Congress approved exchange meeting in China praised their FCTC ratification, with the text being hosts for not worrying about ‘‘anti- sent to the Senate’s external affairs tobacco’’ campaigns. According to committee for consideration and Afubra’s president, Chinese officials approval, but a move to give it priority asked him to intervene with the was halted at the request of a Senator Brazilian Embassy, to ensure that who represents the southern region Brazil did not ratify, given that China where the majority of Brazil’s tobacco ‘‘will not ratify this document’’. is grown. He said his request was based When the Senate public hearing took on the desire to carefully consider the place in September, with only one situation of the growers. It was made week’s notice and reportedly fixed at after he met officials of Afubra, the the request of the tobacco lobby, six Brazilian member (and one of the invited speakers argued for ratification, founders) of the International Tobacco and six against. Despite the efforts of Growers Association, whose links with government and non-governmental the multinational tobacco companies groups to make clear that ratification are well established. would not mean an immediate end to Size does matter: two brands of cigarettes It was then announced that the tobacco production, and a very strong manufactured by BAT, one sold in the UK with Senate would call for a public hearing statement by the Minister of Health large warnings, the other sold in Uganda with ‘‘tiny, inconspicuous’’ warnings. on the matter, but in the meantime at the hearings, ratification was post- Afubra launched a survey on its website, poned without a new date being set which asked for people’s opinion on for reconsideration by the Senate. the pack, have far more arresting warn- ‘‘WHO’s proposal to eradicate tobacco’’. According to media reports, the out- ings than the minute one on the side of Interestingly, 41.5% of initial respon- come of the public hearing was known a 20 pack of Embassy purchased in dents were in favour, with only 34.5% before it took place, and the industry Uganda. To mark World No Tobacco Day against; 15.2% suggested viable alter- side spoke of the need to ‘‘educate’’ and to highlight the lack of controls over BAT’s operations, Kevin O’Connor, a natives should be found, and 4% advo- policymakers. http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/ cated consensus through dialogue. It is Public health professionals and others journalist and athletics coach resident unclear whether such a favourable pressing for ratification in other tobacco in Uganda, used pictures of the packs in response can be attributed to tobacco growing countries need to be prepared his weekly column in a leading East control advocates’ voting on the site, as for how the industry will use scare African newspaper, The Sunday Monitor. part of their efforts to support ratifica- tactics and misrepresent the impact of Commenting on a preview of the pic- tion. the WHO FCTC on short and medium tures, the country’s director general of Afubra has run ads and generated term tobacco production. The tobacco health, Professor Francis Omaswa, press reports of its arguments in regio- lobby’s emphasis on the families that referred to the ‘‘shock’’ he felt when nal and national news media. With few depend on tobacco, on the ‘‘immediate’’ comparing the UK pack warning with exceptions, coverage of the WHO FCTC end of all growing and production, the the ‘‘tiny, inconspicuous’’ warnings on has repeated the line taken by majority supposed call for tobacco ‘‘eradication’’ Ugandan packs. And as O’Connor pointed out, the UK warnings are far manufacturer Souza Cruz, Brazilian and the major economic loss and social on September 29, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. subsidiary of British American Tobacco, unrest that would follow ratification, from the world’s best, with another and Afubra itself. In addition to empha- although completely unsubstantiated, developing country, Brazil, boasting sising the economic benefits of tobacco, grabbed the headlines in Brazil, and large, graphic pack warnings (see the arguments have ranged from the was effective in postponing the discus- Tobacco Control 2004;13:216). misleading to the absurd. Many sions. Health advocates in Brazil are included personal accounts of tobacco busy countering this misinformation to New Zealand: growers, saying they would have no ensure that health, not tobacco, wins means of survival without tobacco— the ratification debate at the earliest hospitality trade’s ‘‘eradication’’ and 2.5 million job losses, opportunity. a mass rural exodus on a scale never ‘‘mindset’’ problem seen before, and the imminent demise STELLA AGUINAGA BIALOUS The Hospitality Association of New of the small rural farmer have been President, Tobacco Policy International; Zealand (HANZ) has been opposing added to the familiar reiteration of the [email protected] the idea of smoke-free bar laws for billions of dollars of tax generated by many years. It has rejected the evidence tobacco. Uganda: official’s from countries where smoke-free bar At the end of August, the Senate laws have not hurt bar profits, and has committee issued its opinion, in favour ‘‘shock’’ over warning actively pushed for the ventilation of ratification. However, the chamber of ‘‘solution’’. tobacco production, a quasi-indepen- size Since 1998 or before, HANZ’s spokes- dent but industry dominated body This photograph of two brands, both man Bruce Robertson has been saying under the Ministry of Agriculture, called made by Uganda’s dominant manufac- that a smoking ban in bars ‘‘would have for delaying the decision until after turer British American Tobacco (BAT), a major negative impact on business’’. municipal elections in October, and shows how the front and back of a 10 This is despite acknowledging that as far distributed information packs to pack of Rothmans cigarettes bought in back as 1996, a survey in Dunedin found Senators, as well as to the ministers of the UK, despite the diminutive size of smoke was the most common cause of

www.tobaccocontrol.com News analysis 325 complaints by people who had recently opportunities to encourage smokers to provided a cigarette brand could be visited bars and taverns, and the main continue to support licensed premises associated with one or more of these reason people had stopped going. In and look to find new markets amongst subjects, or preferably the lot. Tob Control: first published as on 24 November 2004. Downloaded from 2000, Robertson was reported as pre- those who supposedly are not currently In August, in a no doubt unintended dicting that a ban would result in a loss in bars and restaurants because of answer to the question posed in our of business for the trade, a 10% loss of cigarette smoke.’’ last edition (FCTC: how will they keep jobs, and the rise of ‘‘quasi-legal or This is a rare and important example pushing? Tobacco Control 2004;13:216–7), unlicensed’’ bars; and in May 2003, a of the hospitality industry admitting GQ appeared to offer one example. Over HANZ survey indicated that 23% of the that its previous stance was a ‘‘mind six pages, while readers could learn nation’s licensed premises expected to set’’ (though without mention of the relatively little about Formula One close if smoke-free bars were enforced, inevitable and malign tobacco industry motor sport, they could feast their eyes with 40% anticipating a 30% drop in influence), and could result in ‘‘a self- on a young female model in a variety of income. fulfilling prophecy’’ of poor business for postures superimposed against striking In December 2003, the New Zealand some. Perhaps New Zealand’s hospital- shots of a racing car. Both the car and passed a law banning smok- ity trade could learn from the entrepre- some of the model’s clothes carried the ing in bars, with effect from December neurial flair of Ireland’s famous pubs, distinctive Benson & Hedges brand name 2004. In July 2004, Robertson was whose trade association in Dublin and colours. Anyone with a passing reported as saying that HANZ members quickly adopted a slogan boasting, knowledge of advertising will know that were concerned, as ‘‘reports in Ireland, ‘‘The atmosphere’s got even better’’. these things tend not to get into magazine where all workplaces became smoke- pictures like this by accident. free in March, suggest revenue dropped GEORGE THOMSON While British American Tobacco 30%. In New York, where bars and Wellington Medical School, University of makes and markets Benson & Hedges restaurants went smoke-free from Otago, New Zealand; almost everywhere it is sold, the big [email protected] January 1 last year, some bar owners exception is the UK, where the brand reported an initial drop of up to 50%.’’ belongs to Gallaher. GQ does not sell But in an article in a trade magazine UK: how did these get significant quantities overseas, so is in August 2004, Robertson took a very ideal for advertisers to reach British lads different line, writing that, ‘‘There are a here? without wasting precious advertising number of steps that can be taken, GQ is an upmarket example of what is spend that could benefit other manu- including a difficult shift in mind set... known in the advertising industry as a facturers who sell apparently identical the Hospitality Association is working ‘‘lifestyle’’ magazine. More cynical products abroad. Interestingly, in other with the Ministry of Health to develop a pages of the August Formula One fea-

observers, including those who stand http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/ public relations campaign which will to make money from this end of the ture, the model was wearing a silky- not only inform the public of the new magazine publishing industry, tend to looking blouson in a fetching shade of legislation but will also encourage call it a ‘‘lads’ mag’’, on account of the purple exactly like the distinctive brand patrons to support smoke-free bars… It preponderance of articles and advertise- colour of Silk Cut, Gallaher’s other is important as an industry that we do ments related to things that young men major UK brand. not again predict gloom and doom by with a reasonable disposable income Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) publicly suggesting that our smoking and few responsibilities tend to be complained to the appropriate trading patrons will now no longer want to interested in, such as sport, cars, and standards authorities, but on the basis socialise in bars and restaurants. There electronic gadgets. Oh, and girls. Hence, of past experience, recommends that is a real danger that if the industry in those halcyon days before the UK no-one holds their breath waiting for a suggests this outcome it will become a banned almost all tobacco promotion, response—such enquiries as the pub- self-fulfilling prophecy. Much as it goes this type of readership was an irresis- lishers and advertisers will have to make on September 29, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. against the grain, industry must explore tible target for cigarette advertising, are not noted for their speed. Sadly,

Readers of GQ magazine, a UK ‘‘lads’ mag’’, were recently treated to shots of a young female model superimposed against a racing car, both clearly bearing the Benson & Hedges brand name and colours.

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have access to the academic literature describing the industry’s strategy, to make policymakers aware of the Tob Control: first published as on 24 November 2004. Downloaded from research.

JOAQUIN BARNOYA Unidad de Cirugia Cardiovascular de Guatemala; [email protected] Hungary: court victory on point of sale ads Hungary chalked up another important victory recently when the high court ruled that point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertisements visible from outside shops (in shop windows or entrances) were illegal. A string of court cases about such ads have been filed by tobacco control advocates since the country’s advertising ban came into force in January 2002 (Hungary: tobacco ads forced back inside. Tobacco Control 2004;13:8). However, tobacco Thailand: In August, artists from throughout South East Asia came to Bangkok, Thailand to compete companies have continued to lobby the in the coveted ASEAN Art Awards, founded and sponsored by the world’s largest cigarette Ministry of Economic affairs and its company, Philip Morris (PM). Despite meticulous planning of a full programme in several locations, enforcement agency to accept the com- the marketing people at PM did not anticipate a group of young people from Thailand and the USA crashing their parties. The young demonstrators staged their first protest outside the National panies’ own interpretation of the law, Gallery of Art in Bangkok as artists, reporters and PM executives wined and dined at a reception which considered these ads to be legal. inside. Next day, they followed the tobacco contingent to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, and joined a Now British American Tobacco, market procession of elephants that the company had hired to lead its guests to an ‘‘artist interaction’’ leader, has reserved its right to chal- activity among historic ruins. The protest was sponsored by the Thai Health Promotion Institute, and lenge this important decision in the http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/ the US groups Essential Action and Reality Check. constitutional court. Health campaign- ers acknowledge that Hungary’s ban is there seems to be no health ministry course, it looks like a legitimate not total, but it only allows ads at the unit, or other senior government programme, but as tobacco control real point of sale, not in locations visible agency, far less a sign of central advocates everywhere know, such pro- from public places. government will, to respond in the grammes are at best ineffective, and at necessary way when there appears to worst enhance the ‘‘forbidden fruit’’ be a deliberate breach of the tobacco image of smoking in children’s minds, UK: cig as a parrot advertising ban: an immediate investi- as well as marginalising opposition, British people, especially the English, gation, backed by legal powers to extract blaming parents and society (not mar- have long been renowned for a tendency all necessary evidence, then, where keting) for youth smoking, and gaining to treat animals better than humans.

appropriate, straight into court. unjustified credibility for tobacco com- Such a generalisation, while always on September 29, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. panies by working with parents and in dangerous, may indicate wider opportu- the community. nities for encouraging smoking cessa- Guatemala: PM’s The brochure is being distributed tion. Following several reports of people youth leaflets sent to direct to Guatemalan households. At giving up smoking for the sake of their the end there is an endorsement by the pet dogs and cats, a feathered friend has homes Minister of Education, and the fine print now joined the list of deserving victims As Guatemala struggles with the reads, ‘‘Produced by Lifetime Learning after a serious respiratory incident. tobacco epidemic, the government con- System Inc and financed by Philip When the ailing avian, a parrot called tinues to buy the tobacco industry’s Morris International Inc’’. As so often, Jay Jay, had to be put on an inhaler to rhetoric on youth smoking prevention in the fine print lies the truth. Health help him breathe, his owners finally saw programmes. ‘‘Yo Tengo Poder’’ (I have advocates, as well as staff from the the light—and put it out for good. ‘‘Our the power) is a programme led by Philip Ministry of Education, should be made smoking made Jay Jay as sick as a Morris supposedly to prevent young fully aware of the industry’s strategy. In parrot,’’ the couple were reported as people from smoking. At face value, of addition, it is the duty of people who saying, ‘‘but we are all better now.’’

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