Experts met at FAS to discuss a renewed version of the Concept for countering tobacco smoking

On 18 July 2017, FAS Expert Council on developing competition on the market of tobacco products discussed a draft “Concept of the state policy for countering tobacco consumption in 2017-2022 and further prospects” refined by the Ministry of Health Care.

In the participants’ opinion, in spite of the absence of representatives of the Ministry of Health Care invited to take part in the dialogue, there was a constructive dialogue on reasonable restrictions for production and circulation of tobacco products maintaining the balance of interests of the society, the state and the legal sector of Russian economy.

The attendees, who included representatives of the Ministry of Finances, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, “OPORA RUSSIA”  Non-Profit Organization, sectoral unions and associations, producers of tobacco products and distributors, unanimously pointed out that unfortunately a reviewed draft Concept has not been amended considerably.

Head of FAS Fiscal Control Department, Vladimir Mishelovin, stated: “Any  concept that determine long-term prospects for sectoral development must be the result of joint action of all interested parties – government bodies  under the scope of their competences, market participants and, undoubtedly, in view of consumer opinion. In Russia such programme documents are often issued by those who are always against”.

He also pointed out that “the draft Concept lacks entire content blocks, for instance, on developing healthy lifestyle. Bans and prohibitions alone cannot form the fashion to reject bad habits among the population and especially among youth. On the contrary – forbidden fruit is sweet. It concerns, by the way, other strictly regulated markets, particularly, alcohol products, where forbidden initiatives take place at all levels”.

According to him, participants of the legal market of such socially and economically sensitive goods as tobacco products and alcohol products have a high level of social responsibility and are involved in various programmes to support social initiatives, prevent violations and abuses in the filed of their activity. “FAS will always support development of civilized economic relations on the regulated markets”, said Vladimir Mishelovin.

The Council unanimously approved a petition to FAS on summarizing comments and proposals of the members of the Expert Council to the draft Concept and submitting them to the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Health Care.