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Tobacco firm tried to influence Thai research 

"Philip Morris scientist Roger Walk [tried] to influence scientific research and training in Thailand via the Chulabhorn Research Institute," claims the study led by Ross MacKenzie of the University of Sydney.

Walk "influenced the study and teaching of environmental toxicology," according to the lengthy paper, which cites previously confidential documents from the tobacco industry. The researchers "found that consultants to Philip Morris were able to gain access to the scientific community in Thailand," reported the paper.

In addition to influencing the institute's environmental research, Walk "Walk was also able to build relationships with government officials and scientists in Thailand to help advance the interests of Philip Morris in the country and across Asia."

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• Philip Morris, BAT Sought to Influence Smoking Policy (Update1)  

Two of the world’s biggest tobacco companies tried to undermine anti-smoking efforts in Asia by seeking to influence health policy in China and scientific research in Thailand, according to two new studies.

British American Tobacco Plc, Europe’s largest cigarette maker, helped form the Beijing Liver Foundation “to reprioritize the agenda of the Ministry of Public Health,” one study said, citing company documents. A senior scientist at Philip Morris International Inc., the world’s biggest cigarette maker, gained a “disturbing” and “inappropriate” influence over teaching at a Bangkok research institute, the second study said.

Smoking could kill 1 billion people this century, 10 times more than in the past 100 years, and is “the single most preventable cause of death,” according to the World Health Organization. The two reports, funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, show how cigarette makers seek to counter anti-smoking measures by forging ties with policymakers and scientists.

“Such links are of great concern to the public health community, which is working hard to reduce deaths and disease due to tobacco,” said the editors of the journal that published the studies, PLoS Medicine, part of the Public Library of Science.

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• “A Good Personal Scientific Relationship”: Philip Morris Scientists and the Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 

Methods and Findings

This paper analyses previously confidential tobacco industry documents that were made publicly available following litigation in the United States. PM documents reveal that ostensibly independent overseas scientists, now identified as industry consultants, were able to gain access to the Thai scientific community. Most significantly, PM scientist Roger Walk has established close connections with the CRI. Documents indicate that Walk was able to use such links to influence the study and teaching of environmental toxicology in the institute and to develop relations with key officials and local scientists so as to advance the interests of PM within Thailand and across Asia. While sensitivities surrounding royal patronage of the CRI make public criticism extremely difficult, indications of ongoing involvement by tobacco industry consultants suggest the need for detailed scrutiny of such relationships.

Conclusions

The establishment of close links with the CRI advances industry strategies to influence scientific research and debate around tobacco and health, particularly regarding secondhand smoke, to link with academic institutions, and to build relationships with national elites. Such strategies assume particular significance in the national and regional contexts presented here amid the globalisation of the tobacco pandemic. From an international perspective, particular concern is raised by the CRI's recently awarded status as a WHO Collaborating Centre. Since the network of WHO Collaborating Centres rests on the principle of “using national institutions for international purposes,” the documents presented below suggest that more rigorous safeguards are required to ensure that such use advances public health goals rather than the objectives of transnational corporations.

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• Documents offer look at big tobacco's tactics  

Two studies released Tuesday allege that big tobacco companies tried to undermine anti-smoking policies in Asia by infiltrating a research institute in Thailand and providing funding for one in China.

Public health researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Edinburgh analyzed internal industry documents made public following litigation in the United States. The researchers claimed that Philip Morris planted a scientist in Chulabhorn Research Institute in Bangkok in a bid to get researchers to play down the impact of secondhand smoking.

A separate study including a Mayo Clinic researcher alleges that British American Tobacco provided funding in China for the Beijing Liver Foundation in a campaign to shift the focus there away from smoking dangers to ailments like liver disease.

Both companies denied the charges presented online in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal. The two studies were partly funded by the National Cancer Institute in the U.S.

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$2000 fines after airport check finds tobacco, pills  

A Cheviot sickness beneficiary's attempt to bring cheap pain pills, cigarettes and tobacco into New Zealand has led to fines totalling $2000.

Mark William Millin, 43, suffered from a lower back injury, his counsel Jonathan McCarthy told the Christchurch District Court at the sentencing session today.

Judge David Holderness told Mr McCarthy a deferred sentence was an unrealistic option for the charges brought by police and customs.

Millin had admitted evading duty when he brought in 22 cartons of cigarettes and 900g of tobacco from Thailand.

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• Number of female smokers on the rise  

The number of Thai women smokers is expected to drastically rise from 1,664,000 in 2000 to 12 million in 2025, according to the Action on Smoking and Health Thailand Foundation. Meanwhile, a survey conducted last year by the National Statistical Office shows that 17,059 women were habitual smokers.

The number of Thai women smokers is expected to drastically rise from 1,664,000 in 2000 to 12 million in 2025, according to the Action on Smoking and Health Thailand Foundation. Meanwhile, a survey conducted last year by the National Statistical Office shows that 17,059 women were habitual smokers.

The foundation's secretary, Dr Prakit Wateesatokkit, said the rising number of female smokers could be blamed upon the intensive marketing strategies employed by tobacco companies.

"We have to address this issue immediately and educate them about the dangers of smoking," he said.

Another study done this year by Chulalongkorn University found that the key reason behind pregnant women smoking was that they wanted to try it out, were persuaded by friends or believed cigarettes helped them relax.

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• WTO starts investigation of Thai cigarette rules  

The World Trade Organisation (WTO), acting on a complaint from the Philippines, on Monday set up a panel to investigate whether taxes affecting foreign cigarettes in Thailand violate global trade rules.

In submissions to the trade watchdog, Manila argues that imported cigarettes are subjected to unfair taxation and other measures in the Thai market, which is dominated by the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly.

"The playing field on which imported and domestic cigarettes compete is uneven," the Philippines said in a submission to the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB).

Thailand responded by saying its customs and fiscal laws were fully consistent with WTO rules, and it hoped to resolve the matter through bilateral talks.

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Thailand lauded for efforts to snuff out smoking  

The Global Smoke Free Partnership Steering Group has cited Thailand as an outstanding country for its accomplishment in controlling tobacco consumption, the Public Health Ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Bloomberg Foundation have given Bt 33 million to Thailand in a bid to support its 100 per cent smoke free environment project and raise awareness about the dangers of smoking.

Prat was presented the Global Smoke free Partnership 2008 AwardGSP Extraordinary Award at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco First Asian Regional Conference which is being held in Bangkok from October 28 31.

The award was also presented to the government of Panama, the Inter American Heart Association of Mexico, and Hermant Goswami from India.

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• TTM considers hospital investment 

In a strategic shift tinged with irony, the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, the country's largest cigarette manufacturer, is considering investing in hospitals and the health care sector, says newly appointed managing director Prachuab Tantinon.

Mr Prachuab said the TTM had retained Thammasat University to study options for developing the state enterprise's existing hospital. . . .

The TTM hospital, built to serve employees, is located within the agency's grounds next to Benjasiri Park on Rama IV and Ratchadaphisek Road.

The investment plan is aimed at developing the hospital to become a top medical services centre to supplement the TTM's operations and revenues. Other potential investment lines include developing a sports complex and IT-related businesses.

"The TTM needs to diversify into other business sectors if we are to survive in the future," Mr Prachuab said plainly.

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• International tobacco-control award for Indian social activist and Thailand's health minister 

Hemant Goswami, a social activist from India, and Thailand's Health minister have been selected for the prestigious international "Global Smokefree Partnership Award" in recognition of their work in controlling the menace of tobacco. The honour is awarded every year by "The Global Smokefree Partnership," a joint worldwide initiative of over twenty international organisations formed to promote effective smoke-free air policies worldwide.

Reacting to the news, Goswami said, "Such recognition reassures a person that he is moving in the right direction and that the work undertaken by him is making impact. It's a real honour to be selected for such an international award. I am happy and would like to share the honour with all the associates and people who have provided support to our activities."

Hemant Goswami has been awarded in the category, "Extraordinary Award" for his exceptional and outstanding commitment as a dedicated smoke-free and tobacco control activist to promote the implementation of the guidelines on Article 8 (smoke-free policies) of the "Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)" treaty. Hemant is credited with initiating the smoke-free movement in India and for making Chandigarh as the first smoke-free city not only in India but also the first one even in any third world country. A feat which everyone thought would be impossible to achieve in India. . . .

The international award given by the international coalition is coordinated by "American Cancer Society" and includes reputed international organisations like; Cancer Research - UK, Global Tobacco Research Network, International Union Against Cancer, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Johnson and Johnson, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Action on Smoking and Health - London, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Pfizer, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, World Heart Federation and others.

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Ramadoss smokes out smokers from public, private places 

Come Oct 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and smoking in public places and even private buildings anywhere in the country will become a punishable offence.Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss Tuesday said the government is committed to curb tobacco consumption among the people and has set the deadline of Oct 2 to ban smoking in public places.

“If you want to smoke, go out to a street where there are no people,” Ramadoss told reporters.

Earlier, smoking was only banned in government buildings but as per the new rules, all buildings, including private ones, will be smoke-free zones.

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• Electric cigarettes in killer shock - doctors 

Using electronic cigarettes to quit smoking is hazardous to your health and nervous system. They cram too much nicotine into your blood, a study reveals.

Mahidol University dental school researcher Dr Varanant Buejeap says electronic cigarettes contain nicotine and 28 carcinogenic substances, such as alkaloida, which releases substances that have amphetaminelike effects.

What could happen

This increases blood pressure and lipids in blood vessels. This makes the heart work harder and can lead to heart failure and sexual dysfunction.

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• Thai Tobacco sets sights on Eastern Europe  

Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) is looking to penetrate the Eastern European market as part of its drive to boost exports in light of declining cigarette consumption at home.

TTM has recently exported some cigarettes to Singapore, Taiwan, Brunei and the Middle East, the workplace of a number of Thai workers. To accommodate the overseas marketing, new brands will be launched for easy recognition. Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and Russia, has high purchasing power, while its economies are expanding and regulations are not as strict as those in Thailand. . . .

In the domestic market, TTM has no plan to launch new brands, in line with the government's anti-smoking campaign. Like private tobacco companies, it has witnessed declining demand in the Thai market. Though value has been rising through higher prices, sales volume has dropped continually.

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New drug to be made available to help smokers quit 

An anti-depressant drug, proved to be effective in tackling smoking addiction, will be offered under the universal healthcare scheme to encourage long-term smokers to quit the habit. Prateep Tanakitcharoen, deputy secretary-general of the National Health Security Office, said Nortriptyline would be added to the national drug list to help reduce the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses. It will be offered to patients under the scheme to help them quit smoking.

The drug costs only one baht a tablet and each smoker needs 270 tablets over a period of three months to increase his chances of quitting, said Somsri Pausawasdi, president of Healthcare Network against Tobacco Consumption.

''Although Thailand has been praised worldwide for its efforts to control tobacco, the country could still do more to improve access to treatment among smokers,'' she said.

An estimated 11 million Thais are smokers.

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Thailand's tobacco control is exemplary  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has selected Thailand as a role model for other countries in areas of tobacco-control consumption.

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