TOBACCO 2LAST

FAIFA said that inclusion of farmers will also be FAIFA said that inclusion of farmers will also beconsistent with the Constitution of India, principles oftransparency as adopted by the United Nations and inconsonance with a statement made by DG WHO Margaret Chanearlier this year. "It is a matter of great concern for us that FCTCdecisions in the past are made behind closed doors. It isclear that the interests of tobacco growers are notrepresented in the debates especially when the decisions havedirect bearing on the lives of tobacco growers. "It is unfortunate that the FCTC has become an instrumentin the hands of anti-tobacco NGOs and activists who are fundedby vested interests and have no knowledge of tobacco growingor any concern for the livelihood of farmers and many othersdependent on tobacco for their livelihood," the body said. It expressed its confidence that the government willensure that the representatives of the tobacco farmers areable to attend the COP7 deliberations and uphold India’s highdemocratic principles. The summit is scheduled from November 7-12 at the IndianExposition Mart in Noida will aim "to eliminate illicit tradeof tobacco products. About 1,000-1,500 delegates from 180 countries along withobservers in official relations with the WHO FCTC are expectedto participate in the summit. PTI TDSRG