Cigarette Giants in Global Fight on Tighter Rules

Around the world, giant tobacco companies are increasing spending on advertising and fighting public-health initiatives to regulate the production and sale of cigarettes. As cigarette consumption falls in the West, the multinationals challenge ad limits, health warnings, cigarette taxes and prohibitions on displays throughout the developed world and invest millions into advertising in Asia and Africa On the other side of the fight, public-health officials from around the world met in Uruguay to fine-tune a global anti-smoking treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, already ratified by 171 natons and placing stricter controls on tobacco ingredients and blended cigarettes, regulating marketing practices, and expanding anti-smoking programs. Companies argue the layers of regulations push tobacco into black markets. Meanwhile tobacco companies and public-health agencies battle over regulations in the courts. – YaleGlobal