Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-06T00:52:15.107Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Human rights and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: mutually reinforcing systems1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 September 2011

Oscar A. Cabrera  and
Lawrence O. Gostin
Oscar A. Cabrera*
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Law Center
Lawrence O. Gostin*
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Law Center
*
Oac3@law.georgetown.edu
L.O.Gostin@law.georgetown.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This article explores the connection between human rights and tobacco control, and in particular, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). We address rights-based arguments used by the tobacco industry to argue against tobacco regulation. We demonstrate the weakness of these arguments, and that tobacco control and human rights are, in fact, not in conflict, but are mutually reinforcing. We also offer counter-arguments in favour of tobacco regulation based on international human rights obligations. Moreover, we argue that international human rights law and human rights bodies can provide tobacco control advocates with avenues for international monitoring and enforceability, which are lacking in the FCTC.

Type
Articles
Information
International Journal of Law in Context , Volume 7 , Special Issue 3: Health and Human Rights , September 2011 , pp. 285 - 303
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

1

Some of the arguments developed in this article are based on a report drafted by the co-authors and staff of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law (2011). The authors would like to thank Maximiliano Levin, O'Neill Institute research assistant, for his research support. We would also like to thank the O'Neill Institute staff and fellows that reviewed early drafts of this article, in particular, Juan Carballo, Kate Stewart and Susan Kim.

References

Alston, Phillip, Goodman, Ryan and Steiner, Henry (2008) International Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics, Morals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Beaglehole, Robert, Bonita, Ruth, Horton, Richard, Adams, Cary, Alleyne, George, Asaria, Perviz et al. (2011) ‘Priority Actions for the Non-Communicable Disease Crisis’, The Lancet 377(9775): 1438–47.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bollyky, Thomas J. and Gostin, Lawrence O. (2010) ‘The United States’ Engagement in Global Tobacco Control: Proposal for Comprehensive Funding and Strategies', Journal of the American Medical Association 301(23): 2637–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cabrera, Oscar and Madrazo, Alejandro (2010) ‘Human Rights as a Tool for Tobacco Control in Latin America’, Salud Publica de Mexico 52: 288–97.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crow, Melissa E. (2004) ‘Smokescreen and State Responsibility Using Human Rights Strategies to Promote Global Tobacco Control’, Yale Journal International Law 29: 209–250.Google Scholar
Crow, Melissa E. (2005) ‘The Human Rights Responsibilities of Multinational Tobacco Companies’, Tobacco Control 1(Supp 2): ii14–ii18.Google Scholar
Dresler, Carolyn and Marks, Stephen (2006) ‘The Emerging Human Right to Tobacco Control’, Human Rights Quarterly 28: 599–651.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ezzati, Majid and Lopez, Alan (2003) ‘Estimates of Global Mortality Attributable to Smoking in 2000’, The Lancet 362(9387): 847–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferrajoli, Luigi (2001) Derechos y garantías. La ley del más débil, 2nd edn.Madrid: Editorial Trotta.Google Scholar
Gostin, Lawrence O. (2007a) ‘Global Regulatory Strategies for Tobacco Control’, Journal of the American Medical Association 298(17): 2057–59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gostin, Lawrence O. (2007b) ‘The Tobacco Wars: Global Litigation Strategies’, Journal of the American Medical Association 298(21): 2537–39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gostin, Lawrence O. (2008) Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint, 2nd edn.Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
Gostin, Lawrence O. and Lazzarini, Zita (1997) Human Rights and Public Health in the AIDS Pandemic. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Jacobson, Peter and Soliman, Soheil (2002) ‘Co-Opting the Health and Human Rights Movements’, Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 30(4): 605–715.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katz, James E. (2005) ‘Individual Rights Advocacy in Tobacco Control Policies: An Assessment and Recommendation’, Tobacco Control 1(Supp 2): ii31–37.Google Scholar
Koch, Ida E. (2003) ‘The Justiciability of Indivisible Rights’, Nordic Journal of International Law 72: 3–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Koch, Ida E. (2005) ‘Dichotomies, Trichotomies or Waves of Duties?’, Human Rights Law Review 5(1): 81–103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laghi, Brian (2002) ‘Ailing Ex-Waitress Wins Secondhand Smoke Case’, Globe and Mail, available at: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ailing-ex-waitress-wins-second-hand-smoke-case/article489722/.Google Scholar
Navas-acien, Ana, Peruga, Armando, Breysse, Patrick, Zavaleta, Alfonso, Blanco-marquizo, Adriana, Pitarque, Raul et al. (2004) ‘Secondhand Tobacco Smoke in Public Places in Latin America, 2002–2003’, Journal of the American Medical Association 291(22): 2741–45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Novotny, T. and Carlin, D. (2005) ‘Ethical and Legal Aspects of Tobacco Control’, Tobacco Control 14(Supp 2): ii26–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'neill institute for national and global health law at georgetown university (2011) ‘Tobacco Industry Strategy in Latin American Courts: A Litigation Guide,’ unpublished ms.Google Scholar
PAHO [Pan American Health Organization] (2006) ‘Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke in the Americas’, available at: http://new.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/2009/HR_SHS_eng_tool.pdf.Google Scholar
Sepúlveda, Magdalena (2003) The Nature of the Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Antwerp/Oxford/New York: Intersentia.Google Scholar
Taylor, Allyn (2005) ‘Trade, Human Rights and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Just What the Doctor Ordered?’, in Thomas Cottier, Joost Pauwelyn and Bürgi, Elisabeth (eds) Human Rights and International Trade. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 322–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, Peter (1984) Smoke Ring: The Politics of Tobacco. London: Bodley Head.Google Scholar
Uprimny, R. and Castillo, C. (2009) Constitución, democracia y tabaco en Colombia. Bogotá: Centro de Estudios de Derecho, Justicia y Sociedad (DeJuSticia).Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2003) ‘WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)’, available at: www.who.int/fctc/text_download/en/index.html.Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2004a) ‘Newsletter for the World No Tobacco Day Under the Slogan Tobacco and Poverty’, available at: www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2004/pr36/en/.Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2004b) ‘Tobacco and Poverty: A Vicious Cycle’, available at: www.who.int/tobacco/resources/publications/wntd/2004/en/index.html.Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2004c) ‘Tobacco Increases the Poverty of Individuals and Families’, available at: www.who.int/tobacco/communications/events/wntd/2004/tobaccofacts_families/en/index.html.Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2007) ‘Protection from Exposure to Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke. Policy Recommendations’, available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241563413_eng.pdf.Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2011a) ‘Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2010,’ available at: www.who.int/nmh/publications/ncd_report2010/en/.Google Scholar
WHO [World Health Organization] (2011b) ‘Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’, available at: www.who.int/fctc/signatories_parties/en/index.html.Google Scholar