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File on 4: Tobacco: The Lobbyists

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Tobacco: The Lobbyists

16/07/2013

BBC Radio 4 - File on 4, Tobacco: The Lobbyists

What influence does the tobacco lobby have in the fight over new laws on cigarettes?

After the government's decision to drop plain packaging for cigarettes, Jane Deith asks what influence the tobacco lobby has and whether it could derail planned new laws in Europe.

Last week, the Government dropped plans to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes in England. It said it wanted to wait and see what happens in Australia where the measure was introduced earlier this year.
Labour and health campaigners accused the Government of caving in to the tobacco lobby. A claim it has denied.
In Europe, too, MEPs are considering a new law aimed at deterring young people from smoking. The Tobacco Products Directive proposes, among other things, a ban on flavoured cigarettes and increasing the size of health warnings.
Jane Deith travels to Brussels and hears claims and counter-claims: of questionable tactics by the tobacco industry and from tobacco lobbyists who say their actions are above board and they have the right to protect their companies' interests.
And she also talks to the main players in an alleged corruption scandal which some say could have brought down the European Commission itself.
Reporter: Jane Deith
Producer: Paul Grant.

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