Dr. Helen McAvoy:

The other piece in regard to lessons from other countries is that many European countries are signatories of the framework convention on tobacco control, which seeks to ensure tobacco control policy is not unduly influenced by lobbying by those with commercial interests and the tobacco industry. In practice, this is sometimes very difficult. There is certainly very strong lobbying activity at European level and also in national governments. To remain firm and objective and to stick with the evidence is the main road to travel in regard to deciding on the legislation.