Uruguay ’s Victory over Philip Morris: a Win for Tobacco Control and Public Health

Credit: BigstockBy Germán VelásquezGENEVA, Aug 22 2016 (IPS)In a landmark decision that has been hailed as a victory of public health measures against narrow commercial interests, an international tribunal has dismissed a claim by tobacco giant company Philip Morris that the Uruguay government violated its rights by instituting tobacco control measures.The ruling had been much anticipated as it was the first international case brought against a government for taking measures to curb the marketing of tobacco products.Philip Morris had started proceedings in February 2010 against Uruguay at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) under a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between Uruguay and Switzerland. The decision was given on 8 July 2016.Under the BIT, foreign companies can take cases against the host state on various grounds, including if its policies constitute an expropriation of the companies” expectation of profits, or a violation of “fair and equitable treatment” These investment treaties and arbitration tribunals like ICSID have been heavily criticised in recent years for decisions favouring companies and that critics argue violate the right of states to regulate in the public interest.In this particular case, the tribunal gave a ruling that dismissed the tobacco giant’s claims and upheld that the Uruguayan pro-health measures were allowed.President Tabaré Vázquez of Uruguay, responding to the ruling, stated o...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Featured Global Headlines Health Trade & Investment Philip Morris Tobacco Uruguay Source Type: news