Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Norris on bringing up the issue of tobacco health warnings and CETA.

As we all know, according to the World Health Organization tobacco kills almost 6 million people annually. The 2005 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control advocates numerous regularity measures to restrict tobacco marketing and promotion. The multinational tobacco industry has opposed these measures, launching numerous trade challenges to strike down public health measures designed to reduce tobacco consumption.

In 1994, Canada drafted new legislation requiring manufacturers to sell cigarettes in plain packaging, based on evidence from the public health community that industry advertising linked logos and images on cigarette packages with attractive, sophisticated lifestyles and thus encouraged smoking. Despite the health rationale, Canada abandoned plain packaging, fearing it would lose a trade challenge from US tobacco interests. Had the legislation passed many Canadians might not have started smoking. Canada's abandonment of this policy tool provides a clear warning that trade agreements can undermine health policy. This matter greatly concerns me as CETA might deter Ireland from adoption restrictions on marketing or labelling on tobacco products. The great work done by Senator James Reilly and Deputy Micheál Martin in addressing the health implications of tobacco use must not be put in jeopardy by our signing of CETA.

Other labelling requirements are also at risk. Phillip Morris initiated arbitration to stop Uruguay from placing graphic images of smoking victims on cigarette packages. The threat of trade litigation has deterred countries from implementing health measures already enacted such as tobacco control. The New York Times recently noted that Uruguay and Uganda, as two examples, have failed to implement their tougher anti-smoking legislation fearing expensive tobacco trade challenges.

Alcohol causes numerous health and social problems. With the imminent adoption of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill I am concerned that the health warnings and restrictions on marketing, included in this Bill, would be liable to challenge by the major alcohol producers. While current Irish regulation may be protected any new regulation on smoking or alcohol will be at risk.