Controlling Tobacco Industry Interference in Tobacco Control Policy in Jamaica

Abstract

The new comprehensive Tobacco Control Bill tabled in December 2020 contains several measures aimed at preventing tobacco industry interference in health policy. Such interference has long been recognised as the key cause of weak laws and regulation governing the sale and use of tobacco. In this brief we summarise the findings of research into the government’s record of regulating industry interference in health policy. Previous attempts to control industry influence in health policy have failed. We also look in depth at how the Bill stands to change things and where it can be strengthened.