In testimony before a World Health Organization (WHO) panel, David Davies, Philip Morris' vice president of corporate affairs in Europe, acknowledged that, "Smoking causes disease such as lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and cardiovascular disease."

But Davies added, "We do not have legal responsibility for those who claim that they have suffered damage. We believe that people should not be compensated for their choices."

The preliminary draft of the WHO tobacco treaty contains provisions for some form of liability and compensation strategy, following the principle of "the polluter pays."

"In general the tobacco companies have indicated support for policies and measures that are known to have a very limited impact on youth and adult consumption of tobacco," said WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland. "It appears that tobacco companies will continue to oppose these measures that effectively reduce the number of new smokers and current smokers."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word:	Change

GUIDELINES:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, non-commercial, and on-topic.
   
   
2. Please do not post personal requests for help or personal contact information (Click here for help resources).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully. They are published immediately and cannot be edited by you or by us.
   
   
4. Making your post readable with careful spelling and punctuation will strengthen your point.  Don't use ALL CAPS.
   

We reserve the right to remove comments that do not conform to these guidelines (Report an inappropriate comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.