Group hits tobacco growers' forum in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Anti-tobacco advocates have warned the public about alleged deception and misinformation in the conference yesterday of tobacco growers.

In a statement, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) and the Thailand-based Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) said the meeting of the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) in Manila is a “grave insult” to efforts to curb smoking.

“This is a desperate act by the ITGA which we all know is a front group of the tobacco industry. Surely all the hype being waged by the industry about the economic and job losses to tobacco farming because of increased taxes are nothing but empty threats compared to the truth that millions of lives are being lost due to smoking,” read the statement.

ITGA is a “front group” using    tobacco farmers, and that funds come from Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, the statement added.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, FCAP executive director, said ITGA is trying to challenge the sin tax bill being deliberated at the Senate in holding their meeting in Manila.