Tobacco Industry and Child Labor
Posted on May 19, 2021
June 15, 2021 (new date) | 1:00 PM GMT (8 PM Bangkok | 3 PM Geneva | 9 AM New York | 10 AM São Paulo | 3 PM Johannesburg)
Available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Simultaneous livestream (in English) on the GGTC Facebook page.
Child labor in tobacco growing is a long-standing problem that has been the subject of tobacco industry’s whitewashing. In many cases, tobacco companies' so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are rewarded with recognition, allowing an increased rating and investment in their stocks… all at the expense of the people and the planet that continues to suffer from tobacco harms. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has provided clear approaches to eliminating child labor through Articles 17/18 as well as Article 5.3. Policies to remove tobacco industry interference in tobacco growing and production, which includes de-normalizing so-called CSR of tobacco companies, would increase government protection for farmers and child laborers and release them from the clutches of tobacco industry manipulation.
Organized by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, a partner in STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog
*More speakers to be announced in the coming days
Tobacco Industry and Child Labor Webinar (June 15, 2021)
The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, a partner in STOP
Child labor in tobacco growing is a long-standing problem that has been the subject of tobacco industry’s whitewashing. In many cases, tobacco companies' so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are rewarded with recognition, allowing an increased rating and investment in their stocks… all at the expense of the people and the planet that continues to suffer from tobacco harms. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has provided clear approaches to eliminating child labor through Articles 17/18 as well as Article 5.3. Policies to remove tobacco industry interference in tobacco growing and production, which includes de-normalizing so-called CSR of tobacco companies, would increase government protection for farmers and child laborers and release them from the clutches of tobacco industry manipulation.
Tobacco Industry and Child Labor Explainer Video
The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, a partner in STOP
Tobacco companies’ public relations strategy on child labor paints a rosy picture of the industry to boost business ratings – all at the expense of poor people and the planet that continues to suffer from tobacco harms. Disclaimer – The following advocacy groups contributed in this video by sending photographs: 1. ACT Promoção da Saúde, Brazil 2. TOFAZA, Zambia 3. UBINIG, Bangladesh To ensure the privacy of children, the images were not identified using full names or any personal identifying information.
ESG Reports and the Tobacco Industry
Dr. Bronwyn King, Tobacco Free Portfolios
Dr. Bronwyn King (Tobacco-Free Portfolios) describes tobacco industry tactics in its ESG reporting to better their reputation.
Child Labor and Human Rights
Margaret Wurth, Human Rights Watch
Margaret Wurth (Human Rights Watch) describes the health harms children working in tobacco farming experience.
Tobacco Industry: Hindrance to the Elimination of Child Labour
The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), a partner of STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog
A fact sheet highlighting the links between the tobacco industry and child labor as well as the industry's interference in efforts to eliminate child labor.
L'industrie du tabac: Un obstacle à l'élimination du travail des enfants
The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), a partner of STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog
Une fiche d'information soulignant les liens entre l'industrie du tabac et le travail des enfants ainsi que l'ingérence de l'industrie dans les efforts visant à éliminer le travail des enfants.
La industria del tabaco: Un obstáculo a la eliminación del trabajo infantil
The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), a partner of STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog
Una ficha informativa que destaca los vínculos entre la industria del tabaco y el trabajo infantil, así como la interferencia de la industria en los esfuerzos para eliminar el trabajo infantil.
The ECLT Foundation: A Tobacco-industry Front Organization
Pascal Diethelm, OxySuisse
A presentation detailing Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco-Growing (ECLT) Foundation's connections with tobacco corporations (PMI, BAT, Imperial Brands, JTI) and leaf companies (Universal Leaf, Alliance One) making it a PR tool of the industry.
More Resources - Tobacco Industry and Child Labor Webinar
Deborah Sy, GGTC
Important resources related to exposing tobacco industry's links to child labor.
Mary Assunta
Head of Global Research and Advocacy, GGTC
Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo
Head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Pascal Diethelm
President, OxySuisse
Marty Otañez
University of Colorado
Rita Surita
Agricultural Engineer
Brenda Chitindi
Executive Director, Tobacco Free Association of Zambia
Margianta S.J.D.
Executive Director, Emancipate Indonesia
Farida Akhter
Executive Director, UBINIG Bangladesh
Dudley Tarlton
Programme Specialist, Health and Development, UN Development Programme
Bronwyn King
Founder and CEO, Tobacco-Free Portfolios
Margaret Wurth
Senior Researcher, Children's Rights Division, Human Rights Watch
Deborah Sy
Head of Global Public Policy and Strategy, Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control
Marcelo Moreno dos Reis
WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Articles 17 and 18
STOP
WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Articles 17 and 18
WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3