Blow to tobacco control treaty as industry wins tax fight in south-east Asia

Industry lobbying in south-east Asia – home to high concentrations of smokers – is thwarting global efforts to fight the health impact of tobacco, says watchdog

A global treaty to fight the health impact of tobacco has suffered substantial setbacks in south-east Asia, home to some of the world’s highest concentrations of smokers, a watchdog group has said.

The powerful tobacco lobby last year stopped proposed cigarette tax increases in Malaysia and Indonesia, while Vietnam waived all duties on dried tobacco imports from Cambodia, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance said in a report released on Monday.

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Continue reading... November 27, 2017 at 05:00PM