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Philippine legislators seek probe into CoI of its FDA receiving funds from foreign anti-vaping NGOs while drafting vaping policy. Such investigation needs to be conducted across nations, including India. Here are some facts... (1/10)
https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/11/conflict-of-interest-unanswered-questions-prompt-solons-to-suspend-fda-vape-and-heated-tobacco-public-consultation/
https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/11/conflict-of-interest-unanswered-questions-prompt-solons-to-suspend-fda-vape-and-heated-tobacco-public-consultation/
Home minister @AmitShah said recently India should adopt its own template for human rights. Then why is our policy on a significant issue of tobacco use, which affects 270 mn Indians and leads to 1.3 mn deaths/yr, beholden to a foreign NGO cartel?
These international NGOs directly fund govt depts and state tobacco control programs, which shouldn't be allowed as receiving money directly from pvt entities creates massive conflict. Here are some Indian govt depts being funded by Bloomberg: http://bit.ly/2XfoBDs
While India moves to tighten FCRA laws, these foreign NGOs and their local grantees have broken and continue to break laws - one of them, Burning Brain Society, is filing court cases with this money which violates FCRA norms. https://in.reuters.com/article/india-tobacco-bloomberg/exclusive-bloomberg-charity-scrutinised-by-india-for-anti-tobacco-funding-lobbying-idINKCN1B91AE
So entrenched is this cartel that when a govt official questioned this foreign funding, he was promptly booted out and the bar on the errant NGO quickly lifted. https://news.yahoo.com/delhi-city-government-lifts-ban-bloomberg-funded-tobacco-093048164.html
Emboldened, these foreign NGOs are now proposing highly discriminatory policies like banning less harmful alternatives in developing nations but not in the west -- yes, in countries where harm prevention is vital as people have low access to healthcare.
https://theunion.org/news/ban-e-cigarettes-and-htps-in-lmics-to-prevent-a-new-epidemic-of-nicotine-addiction-says-new-union-position-paper
https://theunion.org/news/ban-e-cigarettes-and-htps-in-lmics-to-prevent-a-new-epidemic-of-nicotine-addiction-says-new-union-position-paper
Yet instead of push back they have full support of local network and even govt officials. A recent event ( @nctoh) funded by this Paris-based NGO had jt health secy @iamvikassheel as guest of honor. These events are closely guarded with minimal public participation.
The NGO even claimed credit for India's vape ban. "With Union support, fifteen states banned e-cigarettes at the state level."
What gave it so much influence? Was it the direct funding of India's state departments by its parent financier, Bloomberg?
https://theunion.org/news/the-union-congratulates-india-for-protecting-non-smokers-and-youth-by-passing-the-prohibition-of-electronic-cigarettes-act-2019
What gave it so much influence? Was it the direct funding of India's state departments by its parent financier, Bloomberg?
https://theunion.org/news/the-union-congratulates-india-for-protecting-non-smokers-and-youth-by-passing-the-prohibition-of-electronic-cigarettes-act-2019
Overall, every Indian anti-vaping NGO or individual is connected to this same foreign funding, which is proof enough of co-opting of India's policy on the issue. Should this meddling be allowed? Isn't it time Indian lawmakers asked the same questions as those in Philippines?
Just as with human rights, tobacco policy should be developed in Indian context. Tobacco cancers are rising, ICMR chief says risk reduction should be central to our mitigation strategy. Banning lower-risk alternatives only perpetuates the tobacco crisis. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/reducing-indias-cancer-burden/article32594589.ece
