WHO-FCTC,COP-5

An inherent conflict of safeguarding the tobacco farmers as well as implementing WHO FCTC  guidelines has to be resolved before proceeding in to any action that India takes on tomorrows(NOV 12-17) COP-5 meet at Seoul, South Korea. Albeit the WHO FCTC guidelines doesn't have manifest regulations on Reduction in the production of the tobacco, the implementations of these guidelines will definitely reduce the demand in the market which would have a serious effect on the Indian marginal farmers. India is the second largest producer of tobacco in the world, accepting these guidelines brashly will have a question mark on the livelihood of these farmers, huge loss in the revenues as well. They need to be provided with an alternate means as well as compensation package.

Article -8 of the same guidelines come up strongly for protection from exposure to tobacco smoke. The article defines the terms “Second-hand tobacco smoke”(SHS) or “environmental tobacco smoke(ETS). Several alternative terms are commonly used to describe the type of smoke like second-hand smoke, environmental tobacco smoke, other people’s smoke.

“Passive smoking” and “involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke” should be avoided, as experience in France and elsewhere suggests that the tobacco industry may use these terms to support a position that “voluntary” exposure is acceptable.

Let’s see how government will negotiate fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and public health policy interests.