ASEAN on red alert over high rate of tobacco industry interference
The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance has released its Tobacco Industry Interference Index on ASEAN’s implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3.
Hanoi (VNA) – TheSoutheast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) has released its TobaccoIndustry Interference Index on ASEAN’s implementation of the WHO FrameworkConvention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3.
The index, the fourth in theseries, is a report that tracks government action in protecting their healthpolicies from interference of the tobacco industry.
According to the report, Brunei wasranked first for its good record, followed by the Philippines, but bothcountries had not advanced in strengthening their implementation of Article5.3.
Vietnam had made marginalimprovement but still showed a high level of industry interference. Malaysia andMyanmar showed greater industry interference.
The WHO FCTC was adopted by theWorld Health Assembly on May 21, 2003 and entered into force two years later.Its Articles 3-5 establish the objective, guiding principles and generalobligations engendered by the treaty.
WHO estimated smoking causesseven million deaths per year.-VNA
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The cover of the report (Photo: SEATCA) 
