Boycott the tobacco trade congress in Bangkok

Dear Prime Minister, Government Officials, Thai Business Community, Youth

Thailand has won worldwide recognition for its tobacco control activities from the World Health Organization, World Bank, prestigious universities, foundations and philanthropies, and many businesses who prize the health of their employees. Thailand has received this recognition through policies and accomplishments of many persons and partner organizations, and wide support to counter the production, marketing and sales of tobacco as well as through reduced consumer acceptance of such deleterious and exploitive products.

Since the launch of negotiations on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) a decade ago, Thailand has been an international leader in developing and implementing this groundbreaking health treaty.

On November 11-13, 2009, the tobacco industry will hold a trade congress and exhibit at the IMPACT Exhibition facilities in Bangkok to discuss and display ways to further addict and exploit Thais and other Asians, what they call a “booming market” which they believe will make them a fortune.

We ask you to boycott this meeting because your participation would be an endorsement of Big Tobacco and contradict Thailand’s commitment to the WHO FCTC.

Consistent with Article 5.3 of the FCTC, we recommend you not:
• Interact with the tobacco industry only when, and to the extent, strictly necessary to regulate tobacco products effectively;
• Give preferential treatment to the tobacco industry;
• Form any partnership with the tobacco industry;
• Endorse, support, form partnerships with or participate in activities of the tobacco industry described as socially responsible.

The tobacco industry has a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict of interest with public health. Tobacco companies rank as the most unethical of businesses. Recent court action by the US government convicted the tobacco industry of racketeering, including of lies, misrepresentations and illegal action involving marketing to youth, suppression of information, addicting customers, and lying about the hazards of smoking, the dangers of secondhand smoke, nicotine levels in cigarettes, and the supposed safety of light cigarettes.

We invite you to schedule your attendance at our youth-based activities for a healthful, smoke-free Thailand. Contact us now and pledge your attendance at our event on our website: http://www.counteringtabinfo.org Thanks for your support!