Building momentum for adoption of UP-state policy on lines of WHO FCTC Article 5.3

Abstract

Background and challenges to implementation Since India ratified the WHO FCTC, it is obligated to follow WHO FCTC Article 5.3 as well. Indian court too has recognized obligations of India to not violate Article 5.3 of FCTC for instance. But Indian domestic tobacco control law doesn't have a policy on lines of FCTC Article 5.3. There are other laws and policies in Indian legal framework which help to check conflict of interest or hold corporations to account but more robust policy framework is needed for effective action. Intervention or response In September 2013, Vote For Health campaign hosted by CNS and Asha Parivar, joined hands with UP State Tobacco Control Cell, Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT), Health Justice Philippines, to organise the first state training for CSOs on WHO FCTC Article 5.3. CNS signed another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UP state government to seek input from corporate accountability experts globally on a draft policy for UP on lines with FCTC Article 5.3; and support the implementation of the same on an ongoing basis. The draft policy for UP state was delivered to the government for further action. Results and lessons learnt UP state government promise to form a State level empowered committee for monitoring of tobacco industry interference; and consider adoption of the draft policy on lines with WHO FCTC Article 5.3. Conclusions and key recommendations It is important for the districts, states and nations to have stronger domestic laws and legal and policy frameworks to effectively check tobacco industry interference in health policy on lines with WHO FCTC Article 5.3. We also need to utilize or build upon existing legal and policy frameworks for holding corporations to account on human rights abuses and other harms they cause to climate, society and humanity.

Keywords

• WCTOH