Tobacco Documents Online

INFOTAB WORKSHOP GROUP DISCUSSIONS - WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 - Robert Toet Group_1___'_Fifth_World Conference-on-Smokinq_and_Health" ------------------------ ---- (National-Initiatives) As all of the other discussion groups had, we had a lack of time even to start with a kind of good discussion but I'11 try to say something about the preliminary round we had, and maybe we can continue our discussions next time. We started to emphasize that cooperation with governments as much as possible is vital and not confrontation. Confrontation should be avoided as far as possible, and examples were given of possible combined research programmey, combined public relations actions, for instance a campaign on tolerance. It was felt vital that we should know where our enemy comes from and try to expose -him now he is on an evangelical tour rather than a scientifically- based one, and often now goes beyond reason. It is vital that we expose ourselves as a responsible body and emphasize on rational arguments. An example was given for Norway where the official smoking and health body is not regarded as such a responsible body by the Norwegian government and the industry rather is. Then there are special cases for the developing countries - they are a special target also for U.I.C.C. An example is Nigeria where already preparations are being made for counter- action, such as briefing papers for key officials trying to put the discussion on an economic basis and not on a medical basis, trying to do it beforehand already. Maybe offer of possible help for research to key scientists who otherwise may be against you - try and get them into your camp. And the consideration of voluntary restrictions, which might be helpful to avoid restrictions later on.

2 There was felt the need for carefully edited tapes by INFOTAB such as we heard this morning, where the statements made by the anti-smoking people will expose themselves, and they could be helpful in showing their real face for discussion with friendly politicians, senior health officials, journalists and even for the industry and the employees. An early warning system is also vital - try to know what is going on, and what is going to happen. In some countries official information acts exist so you can force government to give the information on what they are doing. I think that is more or less where we got with our discussion group.