Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/550322
tobaccoasia 69 Solutions for success. The new international trade show for the production of tobacco goods: Develop new business areas and target groups. www.intersupply.com DISCOVER THE NEW INTERSUPPLY. SEPT. 18 20, 2015 InterSupply_AZ_TobaccoAsia_E_89x254_4C_RZ.indd 1 02.03.15 11:10 cigarette in over a year and eight months. Now I can never imagine myself smoking ever again." UK BAT Shares Down Shares in British American Tobacco (BAT) were some the strongest hit on the London stock market after news of a US$4m anti-smoking fighting fund. Shares in the London- based BAT fell nearly 3% to £36.90 (US$55.15), making them the second-biggest drop on the FTSE 100 index this morning. The Anti-Tobacco Trade Litigation Fund, which is designed to help governments around the world in legal battles against the tobacco industry, has been set up by Bloomberg Philanthropies, founded by the former mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also a contributor to the fund. The tobacco industry has been mounting legal challenges to new measures such as graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and plain packaging in countries around the world. The former New York City mayor's foundation has been helping Uruguay since 2010 to battle a lawsuit by Philip Morris International challenging graphic health warnings on tobacco products. Australia is facing a similar lawsuit by Philip Morris and a challenge from the World Trade Organization. Philippines PP Gets Nod from Bloomberg The Philippines was recognized as one of the winners of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control for passing the Sin Tax Law of 2012 and implement- ing tax collection. The award honored the government's Department of Finance and Department of Health for their critical roles in passing the law that imposed higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol products, making it more efficient to increase taxes on tobacco. The Philippines was recognized for the R category. The other governments and NGOs that were also awarded were in Brazil, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine, and Uruguay. This was the second time that the Philippines was recognized for tobacco control interventions. Former New York City mayor and business magnate Michael Bloomberg, who spearheads the activity, handed the award to Philippine representatives finance undersecretary Jeremias Paul and health assistant secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial in glittering ceremonies last March 18, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, host of the conference that is held every three years. "The Philippines' (finance and health departments) played a critical role in passing the sin tax law in 2012, which made it more efficient to raise the tobacco tax by simplifying the country's tax structure," the Bloomberg Awards citation stated. It also said the government "stood strongly for tax increases vocalizing their support to the media and Congress while fighting strong opposition and interference by the tobacco industry since the law's passing."