Manila show under fire from WHO

The World Health Organization has expressed concern that the Philippines could be encouraging smoking by hosting one of the ‘world’s biggest tobacco trade shows’, according to an Agence France Presse story quoting a health official.

The WHO had written to President Benigno Aquino citing the country’s treaty [Framework Convention on Tobacco Control] pledge to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, the WHO senior health adviser, Eigil Sorensen, was quoted as saying.

“If there is a government endorsement, it might be seen as a mixed signal,” he said.

The ProTobEx Asia industry event, which was not open to the public, started in Manila on Wednesday and ended today.