News Releases Philip Morris Bullies
Canada Over Health Laws - AGAIN For the second day in a row, Philip Morris has sent workers from its Canadian operations at Rothmans, Benson and Hedges) to protest against a law designed to protect children from the use of candy-flavourings in tobacco products. On Thursday June 18, protests were held in Quebec City (where the RBH factory is located). On Friday, June 19th, a protest is scheduled in front of the Canadian Prime Ministers office. "Philip Morris has a long history of threatening trade action against health measures around the world," explained Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada. "Whether it's larger health warnings, requirements to disclose ingredients, bans on advertising, restrictions on the use of light or mild or - as in this case - bans on certain flavourings, the company plays on the confusion and fear of World Trade Agreements to suggest that health laws should be delayed." She explained that Philip Morris is looking for a delay, likely in the hopes that the bill may not survive a change in the Canadian political landscape should such develop in the coming months. "Philip Morris is throwing up sand, hoping for delay. We urge Senators to stand up to protect Canadian youth from the marketing and political shenanigans of this company." PSC has written to Senators to explain that: C-32 WILL NOT BAN THE IMPORT OF US CIGARETTES C-32 WILL NOT RESULT IN ANY LOSS OF MANUFACTURING
JOBS IN CANADA. C-32 WILL NOT MAKE CANADA VULNERABLE TO TRADE
CHALLENGES "There is no reason to believe that trade agreements can or should be used to protect the right of companies to "candy-coat" a deadly product, or that there is any desire on the part of any foreign government, especially the United States, to block the important improvements to public health protection that the Harper government |
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