Dear whom it may concern,

Vietnam Public Health Association is one of three hundred organizations which have constantly put efforts into the tobacco control field with high commitment, also agrees with statement of WHO that “WHO will not partner with the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World which is supported by Philip Morris International (PMI). Governments should found in that company’ brand portfolio. WHO will not partner with the Foundation. Governments should not partner with the Foundation and the public health community should follow this lead.

If PMI were truly committed to a smoke-free world, the company would support these policies. Instead, PMI opposes them. PMI engages in large scale lobbying and prolonged and expensive litigation against evidence-based tobacco control policies such as those found in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and WHO’s MPOWER tobacco control, which assists in implementation of the WHO FCTC.

Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC obliges Parties to act to protect public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law. Guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 state clearly that governments should limit interactions with the tobacco industry and avoid partnership. These Guidelines are also explicit that Governments should not accept financial or other contributions from the tobacco industry or those working to further its interests, such as this Foundation so that Vietnam Public Health Association will not engage with any activities related to the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. We also appeal that other Vietnam Government Organizations will follow these Guidelines and collaborate with us to strengthen implementation and enhance policies.

            Thank you for your consideration!