Cecilia Farren South West ASH and GASP Consultancy, Bristol
Abstract
WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control urges advocates to be ‘alert to efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine or subvert tobacco control … ‘. In Bristol, home to Imperial Tobacco, we are all too aware of Big Tobacco’s efforts to thwart our campaigns. Proximity to these ‘Merchants of Death’ creates threats but also opportunities. An NHS Chief ordered a stop to anti-smoking projects as they threatened tobacco industry profits; the Secretary of State for Health (a Bristol MP) sided with the tobacco barons in political debates; and loyal Wills’ employees showed their hostility in many ways. But the opportunities have proved plentiful.
Imperial’s HQ, cigarette and cigar factories have provided targets for pickets, stunts and photo-opps to counter Big Tobacco’s PR and marketing tactics and to publicise national tobacco control policies. As Imperial Tobacco shareholders we attend the AGM to expose truths about their killer product. We even reach children of Imperial’s directors in PSHE classes in local schools!
The presentation will outline some of these but will also ask the question ‘How can YOU do more to take on FCTC’s challenge to combat the tobacco industry in YOUR town?’
Source of funding: Self funded for all the campaigns against Imperial Tobacco.
Declaration of interest: Imperial Tobacco shareholder but not for the dividends but for the doors it opens.
