Tobacco Documents Online

R.G. VERKERK - REPORT ON VISITS TO PAKISTAN, INDIA, PHILIPPINES AND~ SINGAPORE (November 24, - December 9) Presentations, supported by slides, were made to company executives in Lahore, Delhi, Calcutta, Manila and Singapore. In each case the presentations were adapted to the various audiences but inthemaiin were concentrated on outlining the world-wide coordination of the anti-smoking activists and their strategies, the overriding need for industry unity, examples of successes and failures of industry action in selected coun- tries, Infotab published materials and how tolmake the best use of these, the benefits of mobilising allies and the use of economic impact studies, and, the importance of drafting pro- active action pl''ans. PAKI S TAN It is gratifying to be able to report that after sustained persuasion five out of the eight cigarette manufacturers have finally decided to form the Tobacco Advisory Foundation of Pakistan. The five represent around 95% share of the total cigarette market. A media comsultant has been identified as & possible director of the foundation but full agreement on his appointment has not yet been reached. The foundation charter is being drafted. A unified stance onismoking issues comes none too early because attacks on the industry have been growing in intensity. iDnd'er the influence of W.H.O. pressure, the government has openly adopted an anti-smoking posture but, covertly, the Ministry of Commerce is continuing to lend support to tobacco-growing programmes involving small farmers. The government are considering, the publication, of "league tables" and "delivery numbers" on cigarette packs but at present they would have to rely on industry laboratory analyses

as government are not equipped to do these., It was rumoured, however, that W.H.O. may be provid!ing a laboratory facility to the Federal Health Ministry. Since total market volume increased by around~ 7% over 1983 (after several decreases in past years) and the Finance Minister may again be tempted to use "'health reasons" for excessive tax increases, the industry is continuing to make representations to the: Central Board of Revenue. The absence: of' a comprehensive industry economic impact study is felt inn these approaches and' the Tobacco Advisory Foundation have agreed to address this question with assistance from Infotab where necessary. IIi1DIA. For the first time a presentation.was made to~the top executivee team of Godfrey Phillips India (P.M. affiliate) in Delhi. During~the lively discussion that followed'l, their commitment to reviving an industry association was clear. So far, alll efforts to unite the industry towards a commoni stance on smoking issues have failed due to accusations of unfair business practices. After diiscussions with I.T.C. (B.A.T. affiliate), however, it appeared that they, too, were prepared to drop their opposition to: an association and during 19,85 Infotab will build on this change of attitude. The present status is therefore that three manufacturers representing 76% of cigarette market volume will no longer oppose a subseq;uent round-table meeting with Infotab which will include the other two manufacturers holding the rest of the cigarette market. There is increasing pressure, from! the regional W.H.O. H.Q. to persuade government to effect legislation on advertising of tobacco products and'one of the most urgent problerns.facing thee industry is a government regulation giving wider powers under the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Ac.tt to ban sports: andl other promotions by large companies such as Baltal, Dunlop and the tobacco manufacturers. The regulation is being contested in the courts andidevelopments are awaited.

At least two academics have produced papers on the contribution of the tobacco industry to the Indian economy but the lead company agreed that a more comprehensiive dbcument which can be condensed'linto a colourful brochure, is required.. PHILIPPINES Despite the U.I.C.C. smoking control workshop held at the end of 1983, anti-smoking activities by both government and N.G.O.'s have beeniminimal. Three Parliamentary Bills concer- ning health warnings on packs, the banning of advertising of cigarettes and liquor on TV and indications of tar/nicotine contents on packs/advertisements have been consistently held up. It is obvious that Parliament consid'er these issues to be of low priority compared'with the country's serious economic problems. The lead company receives excellent support on smoking issues from their advertising/P.R. agency and it is hoped they will attend'lthe next Asia regional workshop. SINGAPORE Government-inspiredianti-smoking sentiment is as strongias ever and is mirrored in the press. Smoking incidence has been decreasing and at present not more than 25% of the adult population are smokers. Despite a long-term advertising ban on all tobacco products, the cigarette market had been slowly increasing until 19!83 but 1984 will show a 1.5% drop on 1983. One of the effects of the advertising ban is that brands containing less thanil0mg "tar"' have only captured! 1/2%' of the market. The industry is united in its view that any approach to govern- ment to relax its regulations on the industry or to refrain from excessive taxation would have the opposite effect. It was felt, however, that tax increases would be held in check by the danger of opening, up the market to smuggled, cigarettes from Malaysia. In this market the economic impact of the industry

4 is insignificant and the commissioning of a study would not be worthwhile. It was the considered opinion~of N.M.A. members that a regional workshop: should not be held in Singapore. As all proposed conferences have to be reported to the authorities as regards content and participants, the press could' have got wind of it and the unleashing of a renewed anti-smoking press campaign would have been a distinct possibility. The Asia regional workshop will therefore be held'at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur oniMiay 20 22, 1985..