MS criticised for hosting tobacco event
A WELSH Conservative Senedd Member has been criticised for sponsoring an event involving a large tobacco company inside the Senedd estate.
The chair of the Senedd smoking and health cross-party group John Griffiths MS said he was “disappointed and concerned” about the decision to allow the event involving Japan Tobacco International (JTI) to go ahead.
JTI is part of Japan Tobacco, one of the world’s biggest cigarette companies, whose brands include Camel, Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut and vaping brands including Ploom and Logic.
The event is planned for today and will be sponsored by Conservative MS Darren Millar. Mr Millar said it would focus on the problem of cheap illegal tobacco on sale in Wales.
Mr Griffiths said the event “undermined” Wales’ strong public health message on smoking and also the ambitions for a smoke-free Wales by 2030.
Health campaign group ASH Wales has also written to Senedd members to remind them of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
This requires governments to take measures to protect health policy “from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry”.
It said the event organised by JTI put these measures are at risk.
Mr Griffiths said: “It is very disappointing and concerning that a Member of the Senedd Darren Millar is hosting an event for Japan Tobacco International.
“As chair of the cross-party group on smoking and health, I am greatly saddened and angered that the Senedd estate is being used for this purpose.
“We have seen lots of good work by our Welsh Government to create more smoke-free environments, with the bold ambition of having a smoke-free Wales by 2030 – and this event undermines this and our strong public health efforts here in Wales . ...
“Tobacco companies have a long record of working to undermine health messages and measures, fighting a rearguard action to continue to profit from death, ill-health and misery. And seeking to portray themselves as cooperating with governments and agencies to address the damage smoking causes.
“They have been called out by the World Health Organisation, United Nations and governments across the globe.”
In response, a Welsh Conservative spokesman accused Mr Griffiths of a lack of research.
He said: “John Griffiths clearly hasn’t done his homework.
“Darren Millar has sponsored a number of events at the Senedd for JTI over the years which seek to highlight their efforts to support Welsh local authorities to tackle the illegal and counterfeit tobacco trade and the risks it poses to the public, including in John Griffiths’ Newport East constituency. The events have been attended by members from all political parties and do not promote smoking, as John would see for himself if he took the time to join.”