Extraordinary press-conference and meeting in Parliament of Georgia

Tobacco control alliance held pres-conference on 11th November committed to the government officials’ exposures that are still continuing lobbying their interests. Namely, there has been started law discussion in Parliament of Georgia, which abolishes norms that are already into force, to be precise there is a proposal to accept organizing the lotteries from tobacco industry’s side, and also they would like to delay amendments and changes in the administrative violations code. Pupils have participated in the pres-conference addressing politicians and elder people to urgently enforce changes accepted last year, and to protect them from second-hand smoking impact in schools as well as in other buildings and institutions. Alliance members appealed to Ministry of Health (MoH) and Parliament not to support abovementioned amendments which will bury tobacco control articles implementation process for three year.
In Parliament on 12th of November discussion was held regarding the changes represented by the government in the draft law of tobacco control. Meeting was attended by the tobacco control representatives. Meeting was leading by the head of health committee of Parliament, Mr. Otar Toidze. Project was presented by the deputy Health Minister Mrs. Manana Jebashvili. She mentioned that there is offered suggestion to give government term till 31 December, 2012 to introduce changes in the administrative violations code. Afterwards talk was held by the parliamentary secretary of government and mentioned that these changes were caused to decline obstacles for business, namely for restaurants and bars not to spend extra expenses for ventilation systems. Deputy Head of Parliament health care committee Mrs. Magda Anikashvili declared that society expects smoking restrictions in Restaurants of changes and its implementation, therefore above argument of the Government is weak. Afterwards floor was given to Mr. George Bakhturidze – Head of Tobacco Control Alliance who declared that first question that was logical: why the author of this draft law represents MoH when last year by the MoH itself there were made changes in tobacco control law. Second: tobacco control law does not include norms of smoking restriction only in restaurants and bars and this law restricts smoking in every building and bans smoking in every educational and medical institutions. Alliance consulted with relevant Ministers and Health, Educational and among them Finance ministers agree to accept appropriate penalty sanctions and to begin administering the law in order to protect our future generations from second hand smoking fatal impact. Then name the concrete person in government or name a department that actually initiated this draft law – requested Alliance leader. Parliamentary secretary of government and Deputy Health Care Minister explained that government is able to implement proper changes in agreed terms, though Alliance leader considered this argument as weak and mentioned that government should present changes and amendments in administrative violations code till March of current year, but since that time 1 year is over and still they are talking to postpone these obligations for 3 years. Hence, there is no guarantee not to elongate this process in time, moreover special video clips are shown by our alliance, restaurants are aware and part of them already follow the norm of 50% smoke free, and what is more important, not only non smokers support this norm but majority of smokers agree to restrict smoking in food objects. Head of health committee asked alliance representative what is reasonable term to set law articles into force, on what G. Bakhturidze answered that alliance jointly with MoH prepared administrative violations code changes which was given officially to the parliament as well, and according to that implementing of ban of smoking in educational and medical institutions, setting relevant penalty sanctions are available to put into practice from this year, and for restaurants and bars from May of next year.
George Bakhturidze addressed to deputy minister of health to identify the point of minister if he truly desires not to implement law for example in medical institutions? Nevertheless on this question parliamentary secretary of government answered that government does not oppose to administer in medical, educational, sport and related institutions, on what Mr. Otar Toidze claimed that there should begin working on this issue with the participation of NGO sector in nearest days.
There has been already begun discussion regarding the tax rising on local tobacco production these days, which should be equal to importing tobacco production and should conduct 0,6 GEL (0.35 USD) instead of 0,4 GEL (0.23,5 USD ).
Alliance considers that government in return for tax rising offered to local business to return lottery drawing right back and postpone administrative violations code for three years, that is direct violation of obligations of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and current legislation. Alliance will not reconcile this transaction and it will bring light to all those who are in a corrupt or political agreements with the tobacco industry on the cost of our citizens’ health and lives.