Litigation in Tobacco Control: Past, Present, and Future
Abstract:
This article explores the role of litigation in shaping both international and national tobacco control policies. It analyzes successful international case studies that demonstrate the effective use of legal mechanisms to hold the tobacco industry accountable and to strengthen public health protection. Within this context, the article also considers Georgia’s experience— a country that has taken significant steps to improve tobacco control regulations but has yet to utilize legal instruments to establish industry liability fully. The central argument of the article is that activating legal tools, particularly under Article 19 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), can significantly enhance both industry accountability and the legal mechanisms for protecting public health. The article recommends enhanced collaboration between Georgia’s legal and governmental institutions, civil society, and international partners to develop a robust legal framework. This framework would subject the tobacco industry’s actions to judicial scrutiny and reinforce a sustainable legal system for safeguarding public health.
Keywords:
litigation, tobacco industry, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
