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30 January 2015

The Israel Cancer Association: leading the way in preventing patronage of the tobacco industry

In an interview with UICC, Professor Eliezer Robinson, Chairman of the Israel Cancer Association (ICA), explains its decision to pressure Tel Aviv University (TAU) to cancel its Phillip Morris recruitment event in early 2015.

 

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In an interview with UICC, Professor Eliezer Robinson, Chairman of the Israel Cancer Association (ICA), explains its decision to pressure Tel Aviv University (TAU) to cancel its Phillip Morris recruitment event in early 2015. TAU cancelled the event after ICA threatened to withdraw all new research grants to TAU. ICA’s Chairman stated: “It is unthinkable that ... we will help ... strengthen and encourage this devastating industry that causes cancer [and other diseases].”

Read the full interview below with Professor Eliezer Robinson, Chairman of ICA, to learn more about ICA’s efforts in preventing patronage of the tobacco industry.

INTERVIEW

Professor Robinson, as a past President of UICC, you and ICA are committed to improving cancer control. Tell us about the long standing contributions to cancer research and cancer control that ICA has made.

  • The Israel Cancer Association (ICA)'s primary aim – to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality in Israel – is achieved through the Association's activities geared towards promoting research, prevention methods and early detection, as well as enhancing treatment modalities and rehabilitation means for patients and survivors, while advocating for their rights.

In the area of research – each year, the ICA awards some 45 grants to researchers from all research institutes and medical treatment facilities in Israel, based on outstanding achievement. As part of the funding provided for research, Tel Aviv University researchers also receive research grants each year.

During my term as President of the UICC, we recommended that UICC members refrain from supporting universities and other entities that are funded by tobacco companies, and the ICA Executive Board approved and implemented this recommendation.

How did you become aware that the University of Tel Aviv was entering an agreement with Philip Morris Tobacco Company?

  • Our Spokesperson obtained information which included a copy of the announcement issued by Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Management, informing students about a "festive event", to be held in collaboration with Philip Morris, aimed at appealing to bachelor's and master's degree graduates to join the company and work in marketing positions at Philip Morris, a known conglomerate which imports and distributes cigarettes.

How did the University leadership react when ICA asked them to withdraw their collaboration with this tobacco company? Was there recognition that the University, as a research organisation in improving health, was sending conflicting messages through support of tobacco industry recruitment?

  • In a letter on which I was a signatory, which we sent to the President of the University, as well as to the Dean of the Faculty of Management, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, we indicated that "it is unacceptable that on the one hand, we assist your excellent and devoted researchers in the battle against cancer, and on the other hand, you empower and encourage a destructive and cancer-causing industry." Ten days after we sent the letter, when the media requested a response from the University, it announced that it would be cancelling the event, and notified the students of the cancellation.  However, we did indeed hear reservations from the University's researchers concerning this inappropriate event.

Under threat of withdrawing the ICA research funding to the University, the event was cancelled. Why do you think this drastic step was necessary?

  • We were utterly astonished to discover that Tel Aviv University actually launched an initiative to join a tobacco company, which manufactures products, which if used according to instructions, kill its users. We regretted having to threaten to freeze grants and we were also sorry to learn that the Faculty of Management, which is a reputable institution, as is the entire Tel Aviv University, not only agreed to this cooperative initiative with the tobacco company, but also endeavored to intensify and empower this collaboration. 

UICC and ICA along with many other international organizations of health professionals have committed to contribute to tobacco control/public health goals in alignment with the WHO code of conduct. Educating our partners and peers is an important contribution. What advice would you give to UICC members that wish to approach their own partner organisations to encourage them to take steps to withdraw patronage of the tobacco industry?

  • It is well known that the tobacco products industry severely impairs health and significantly reduces life expectancy. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death. The tobacco companies, which distribute their lethal products, are extremely sophisticated and have abundant resources. We must be on guard against their marketing strategies, and do our utmost to thwart them.

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Friday 07 June 2019

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