The aspects and conflicts between international trade agreements and public health policies within the scope of tobacco control

This master?s thesis reviews the aspects and conflicts of international trade agreements that challenge public health policies within the scope of tobacco control. This study also deals with the relevant World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements and the way they may influence health and health policies. WTO Trade Agreements such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) do not adequately protect tobacco control measures from trade-based challenges, and they reduce barriers, increase competition, lower prices and promote consumption. Conversely, tobacco control measures seek to reduce market access and consumption, raise prices and restrict advertising and promotion in order to reduce health and social problems. However, under international agreements, negotiated by trade experts without public health input, governments and corporations may challenge these protections as constraints on trade. Advocates must recognize the conflicts between free trade and public health and work to exclude tobacco from trade agreements. There are conflicts between WTO and World Health Organization (WHO) about free trade versus public health. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has potential to protect tobacco control policies and serve for health public. Key Words: Tobacco Control, Public Health Policies, International Trade Agreements, International Conventions