Back

Brazil & Southern Cone - January 2011 (ISSN 1741-4431)

URUGUAY : Should free trade trump public health policy?

Uruguay is preparing for a bitter legal struggle with the tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI) which will have international ramifications. PMI is suing Uruguay for a law pushed through congress by President José Mujica's predecessor, Tabaré Vázquez, in 2006, requiring large health warnings on cigarette packets and banning the sale of those branded as “light" or “ultra light". It claims that the restrictions imposed by the Uruguayan government harmed its business and violated Uruguay's trade deal with Switzerland, where PMI is based. Mujica has been more conciliatory than Vázquez but he has not backed down. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and 170 countries worldwide, have expressed support for Uruguay in a dispute which pits the interests of free trade against public health policies.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 1158 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

LatinNews
Intelligence Research Ltd.
167-169 Great Portland Street,
5th floor,
London, W1W 5PF - UK
Phone : +44 (0) 203 695 2790
Contact
You may contact us via our online contact form
Copyright © 2022 Intelligence Research Ltd. All rights reserved.