LOC20:12
17:12 GMT
GENEVA, March 17 (KUNA) -- The Network for Accountability of Tobacco is
urging on Wednesday governments to stand firm in their progress toward a ban
on duty-free tobacco sales.
The message is timed with the meeting of 168 countries reaching the
mid-point in their final round of negotiations on a WHO protocol to the global
tobacco treaty aiming to curb tobacco smuggling.
"Tobacco corporations have organized a powerful coalition of anti-tax and
duty-free trade associations to try and weaken or derail treaty negotiations,"
explains Brayan Hirsch from the Network in a statement for Kuwait News Agency
(KUNA).
According to the Network of NGOs a new international law means end to
business as usual for tobacco industry lobbyists.
The Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes
more than 100 NGOs from over 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. (end)
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