H/T Mark Butcher for spotting this poster on the side of a Geneva tram.
The small print reads: "Tobacco industry tactics to undermine tobacco control must be exposed and resisted". A similar thing could be said of the tactics used by the tobacco control industry, and with far greater justification.
In fact, given the intimidatory and often discriminatory tactics employed by tobacco control (see this previous post) it's hilarious that they should squeal "Intimidation!" and point the finger at Big Tobacco.
The WHO's Director-General Margaret Chan has criticised the tobacco industry for interfering with the treaty, highlighting lawsuits launched in Uruguay, Norway, Turkey and Australia - all countries that moved towards its implementation.
"We have an enemy, a ruthless and devious enemy," said Chan. "It is horrific to think that an industry known for its dirty tricks and dirty laundry could be allowed to trump what is clearly in the public's best interest."
See: Tobacco firms accused of thwarting controls
Forest too stands accused. We have "aggressively attacked the plain-packing proposal, launching a 'Hands Off Our Packs' campaign". This of course comes just three weeks after the BBC reported Plain cigarette packet 'sabotage' campaign.
It is clear that the tobacco control industry will do whatever it takes to stop a legitimate business from defending itself and its consumers. In political terms they want a one-party state where opponents are denied the right to freedom of speech and assembly.
Opponents of the World Health Organisation's brave new world must be denounced as enemies of the state and silenced accordingly.
See also: World No Tobacco Day raises health, freedom issues in Britain