A letter signed by nearly 200 public health agencies, labour groups and individuals calls on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to cut ties to tobacco companies when its governing body meets later this autumn.

Tobacco leaf procurement practises, “are part of a deliberately planned and well-orchestrated strategy by a USD 700 billion (EUR 593 billion) industry to boost its profits off decreasing leaf prices at the expense of farmers and governments,” in leaf growing countries such as Malawi and Bangladesh, the letter states. Signatories include Action on Smoking and Health, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, European Health Network, WHO’s Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, International Labour Rights Forum, People’s Health Foundation and the Socialist Part of India.
ILO cooperation with the tobacco industry and the UN organisation’s social mandate is an agenda item for the Governing Body’s next meeting Geneva from 26 October to 9 November.