The right to life and health, as well as other fundamental rights, are firmly anchored in global human rights norms. Governments not only have the opportunity to regulate the tobacco trade, but they also have an obligation to do so, based on human rights principles.
Human rights can strengthen the fight for tobacco prevention and against the influence of the tobacco industry. Although the link between the tobacco industry and human rights violations is still not widely recognized, it is becoming increasingly important in the public debate, according to the Transparency and Truth network . Oxy Suisse, which produced the report together with the US-based Action for Smoking and Health, is part of the network.
The report highlights how the tobacco industry violates human rights, for example by targeting young people in its marketing and undermining efforts to prevent tobacco use. It also highlights how Switzerland is failing to protect the human rights of its citizens by failing to take effective measures to prevent tobacco use and by putting the interests of multinational tobacco companies ahead of public health.
More information and link to the report on the Action for Smoking and Health website.
