Tobacco Documents Online

NMA REPORT - ABIFUMO'S BRIEFING PAPER FOR WORKSHOP IN BRUSSELS Major Developments In Smoking Issues In Brazil Since November 1980. a. Anti-Smoking Action - Cancerology Congress in S~o Paulo (report sent to INFOTAB). - Anti-Smoking campaign in the State of Paran~. - Continuous action by the Medical Association of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (AMRIGS) through conferences, programs and press interviews. - Establishment of a Joing Commission, composed of medical authorities, well-known antagonists to smoking, and by civil service employees of the Ministry of Health, with its full support. - A series of articles (during 4 consecutive days) published by the most important S~o Paulo (capital) newspaper (The State of S~o Paulo). - Intensification in exploiting the "passive smoking" issue, with special emphasis on the Hirayama report. b. Legislative Action (I) Federal Area There are six main bills, as follows: - Establishing the printing of warning on cigarette packs and cartons. - Creating the "National Day Against Smoking" (29th of August). - Restricting cigarette advertising on the radio and TV to limited periods of time and specific hours. Obs.: - Prohibiting installation and expansion of cigarette plants. Unfortunately, the first and second bills mentioned above have been approved on first instance, in spite of a}l efforts made by the industry. Ti05390270

- 2 - (2) State and Municipal Areas The main objectives of several bills are: to prohibit cigarette advertising (out-doors and posters) in public places. Attempts have been made to interfere with cigarette advertis- ing on the radio and TV with no success. The Juvenile Court of various small towns have prohibited the sale of cigarettes to minors (under age 18). 2. Tobacco Industry Activities Carried Out Since November 1980 and Related to Smoking Issues. a. Legislative Area ABIFUMO obtained legal opinion, in writing, from renown jurists who undoubtedly proved, on sound grounds, that the legal structure of the Brazilian legislation do not allow States and Municipalities to prohibit advertising and the freedom of commerce of products duly authorized by the Federal Govern- ment. b. Communications Area The "II National Convention of the Tobacco Industry" had excellent results within the political environ- ment and the press in general. ABIFUMO is also engaged in a program of approaching and maintaining close relationship with newspapermen. Results have already proven to be very good, not only facilitating contacts with the media, but also strongly reducing press coverage of anti-smoking events, as happened during the last anti-smoking campaign carried out in the State of Paran~. Other positive results have also been obtained by ABIFUMO with regard to the press. Publishing of favourable news, specially in the eco~o~ic area, increased by 24,69~ in 1981 (1980: 21,62% - 1981: 46,31%). This estimate is based on the monthly calculation carried out by ABIFUMO which consists in measuring, in centimeters, unfavourable and favourable news published in newspapers and magazines. Strong resistance in still encountered when it comes to obtain press cooperation to release news to counter-attack "smoking and health" issues. However, some progress has been made and an example of it was the publishing of the Garfinke] report by the Brazilian press. T!0539027I

- 3 - c. Technical Area A publio opinion research is being planned with the purpose of identifying attitudes towards the smoking habit in Brazil. Different aspects will be analyzed, including the "opinion-makers" segment. This research will serve as a basis to plan future activities. It is worth mentioning that the research will be carried out by a Brazilian firm having V. Lance Tarrance and Associates as consultants. o Future Developments And Trends In Such Issues That Are Foreseen During the Next I-2 Years. a. Political Area As 1981 is a pre-election year, and taking into account that tobacco constitutes an excellent subject to attract general public attention and create an idealistic image, being also the easiest and shorter way to obtain "press- space", it is our belief that politicians will tend to concentrate their action more and more on the smoking issue. The fact that Brazil's President, well-known as a heavy smoker, recently suffered a heart-attack is greatly helping the fight against tobacco. This unfortunate incident is being largely exploited by anti-smoking groups - politicians, medical authorities and the press. Since it has.been proven that the States and Municipalities , cannot interfere with the freedom of commerce and advertising of tobacco products, it is likely attention will switch to the passive-smoking issue. Special emphasis will probably be given to restrict smoking in public places, such as schools, hospitals, movie-houses, theaters, public transports, upon which they have legal authority to rule. It is our opinion that anti-smoking campaigns will, in the future, be focused on the social acceptability of smoking. It should be mentioned that ABIFU~O's action, presently more evident in terms of counter-action and results, is stimulating greater reaction (and will probably continue to) on the part of anti-smoking forces which already openly refer to ABIFUMO as a quite well-known organization. Rio de Janeiro, 28tb September, 1981 MSRA/hma. Ti05390272