Big Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks

Since its inception, the tobacco industry has been at the forefront of influencing public opinion and disrupting health policy through various sophisticated and deceptive methods. As evidence has mounted supporting the undisputed deadly effects of tobacco products, the industry has found ways to adapt and thrive. They have succeeded in attracting enough new smokers to support industry growth despite losing eight million of their consumers annually to tobacco-related deaths. The sphere of influence of multi-billion dollar tobacco companies extends to the fields of scientific research, politics, law, education, and the media.

The WFPHA Tobacco Control Working Group has published a casebook entitled Big Tobacco’s Dirty Tricks: A Casebook of Seven Key Tactics Used by the Tobacco Industry which contains seven articles discussing key tactics used by tobacco corporations to improve their brand, hinder their opponents, and undermine tobacco control measures globally. The cases provide insights into the industry’s methods as they trick, manipulate, bribe, and threaten in the eternal quest for profit. Each article outlines a particular tactic, demonstrates examples where it has occurred, and offers recommendations for how individuals, professionals, organizations and governments can recognize and counteract them.

To evaluate readers’ feedback on the articles and investigate attitudes toward the tobacco industry tactics, a brief survey is provided. The quick anonymous survey can be accessed with the link below.

The more informed our society is about the tactics used by Big Tobacco, the better chance we have of effectively imposing tobacco control measures, reducing consumption globally and preventing tobacco-related illness and death.

Welcoming New Members

On May 19, 2022, during the General Assembly of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, member organizations have welcomed 3 new members; the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), the European Network of Medical Residents in Public Health (EuroNet MRPH), and World Patients Alliance.

We look forward to working together towards our shared goals of protecting and promoting health & wellbeing worldwide.

Welcoming New President

On May 19, 2022, the WFPHA formally welcomes its new President Prof. Luis Eugenio de Souza. He will hold the role of President for the next two years.

Luis is a professor at the Federal University of Bahia and a leader in health equity and sustainable development!

We Are Hiring!

The World Federation of Public Health Associations is currently looking for a Communication Officer (30%) for the International Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

The WFPHA is an international, non-profit, nongovernmental organization composed of over 130 associations member, mostly multidisciplinary national public health associations, and representing around 5 million public health professionals worldwide. WFPHA is accredited as an NGO in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Federation is also accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), holds consultation status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and holds observer status with Codex Alimentarius of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The Communications Officer (30%) will be responsible for developing, leading, and implementing the scientific communication strategy for the World Congress on Public Health.

Key Responsibilities

• Writing and editing of original content (letters, articles, statements, press releases, newsletters, etc.) in the area of global public health.
• Providing content for different platforms (website and social media).
• Producing visual content for social media.
• Executing external digital communications (website, social media, email/text campaigns, Google AdWords, etc.).
• Liaising and coordinating with stakeholders.
• Maintaining a database of media organizations and contacts within them.

Qualification and Experience

• University degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations or similar.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with global public health.
• 4+ years prior experience in communication & press work, as well as social media. Previous experience in managing events’ communication would be an asset.
• Previous experience with congress communication would be an asset.
• Excellent command of English; further languages would be an asset.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Knowledge and experience using the Adobe Creative apps including Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, Premiere Elements, and other graphic design software.
• Knowledge and experience in producing and posting multimedia content for the web and social media.
• Knowledge of MS Office.
• Comfortable with new technologies.
• Eager to work within a multicultural and international environment.
• A good team player with a “can-do” attitude.
• Good at multi-tasking and working with strict deadlines.

Location

In-person or remote with one-week full time in Rome, Italy, in May 2023.

Period

Starts as soon as possible for 12 months.

Application Deadline

15 May 2022 (Midnight, CEST)

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the position, please send your CV and motivation letter to Dr Marta Lomazzi: marta.lomazzi@wfpha.org

Human Rights Day 2021

On Human Rights Day 2021, we are aware of the persistence of enormous inequities in the world, which are a flagrant disregard for human rights. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic not only revealed these inequalities but also contributed to their exacerbation.

The 2021 United Nations Theme for Human Rights Day is EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights. The International Federation of Social Workers and World Federation of Public Health Association jointly advance a statement to continue to advocate with the United Nations, governments, companies and civil societies for the promotion of equity and respect for human rights, starting with the equitable distribution of vaccines and guaranteeing the universal right to sustainable development.

WFPHA Working Groups: Welcoming New Chairs/Co-chairs and Thanking Outgoing Chairs

At WFPHA, our mission is to protect people, prevent diseases, and promote health and wellbeing. Our 10 diverse Working Groups help us achieve our mission through advocacy, collaborative work, and support. We are constantly overwhelmed by the efforts they put forth to uphold our mission and reach our universal goals.

Recently, we have had to say goodbye to two of our valued working group chairs, Prof. Raman Bedi (Oral Health) and Dr. Florian Stigler (Tobacco Control) as they take on their next venture. They have served us exceptionally well over the years, and we would like to thank them for their contributions within the WFPHA. They committed their time supporting WFPHA working groups and provided assisting through collective work and implementation. We appreciate their efforts and wish them a fruitful journey ahead.

As we say goodbye to some of our previous working group chairs, we also would like to give a warm welcome to those who have just joined: Hannah Marcus (Environmental Health), John Gannon (Tobacco Control), Leanne Coombe (Public Health Professionals’ Education and Training), and Timothy Mackey (Global Health Equity and Digital Technology).

We are excited to see the difference our new working group chairs/co-chairs will contribute to in global health. We hope this experience brings jubilation and achievement to both them and us!