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#USChamberExposed

On June 30, 2015, The New York Times released a tiered investigation to expose the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) affiliates as a front group for Big Tobacco.

The New York Times reported that the US Chamber and its affiliates, “use their access to high-level decision makers and indeterminate funds to influence, intimidate, and pressure policymakers trying to develop and implement public health policies designed to reduce tobacco use.”

Dr. Vera da Costa e Silva, the head of the Secretariat that oversees the W.H.O tobacco treaty, said, “there is a misconception that the American chamber of commerce represents the government of the U.S.”

The Times continued, “In some places like Estonia, the lines are blurred. The United States ambassador there, Jeffrey Levine, serves as honorary president of the chamber’s local affiliate; the affiliate quoted Philip Morris in a publication outlining its priorities.”

 

Today, July 16th, international public health groups respond with a new report: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blowing Smoke for Big Tobacco.

Click Here to View the Report
Click Here to View the Report

This report further describes how the U.S. Chamber and its AmCham affiliates have joined the tobacco industry in fighting effective tobacco control policies in multiple countries – often without fully disclosing that they are working with the tobacco industry – implying that the full force of the U.S. business community is behind these efforts and that economic harm could result if countries move forward.

The report includes five recent case studies from Uruguay, Burkina Faso, Moldova, the European Union and the Philippines and lists other known attempts by the U.S. Chamber to oppose a range of tobacco control policies including graphic health warnings, tobacco advertising restrictions and increased tobacco taxes.

It is time for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop fighting public health measures. If you agree, sign this petition>