Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14716

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Vlassov V.
Russia defies WHO antismoking convention by allowing misleading advertising
BMJ 2008 Dec 1; 337:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/337/dec01_2/a2837?papetoc

Abstract:

The Russian government is flouting the World Health Organization’s convention against smoking, despite having ratified it earlier this year.

In defiance of the convention a new Russian standard permits the use of misleading advertising of cigarettes, including the use of the word “light” to describe certain brands, and allows representatives of the tobacco industry to take part in the legislative process.

The lower chamber of the Russian national parliament, the Duma, has passed the national standard for tobacco products in its second hearing. The standard, which was prepared by a lobbyist from the tobacco industry, legalises the trade of cigarettes under names that include words such as “light.” Although a third hearing is needed before the standard becomes law, this tends to be a formal approval process only, and changes at this stage are unlikely.

Russia took part in the development of WHO’s convention against smoking and voted for it . . .