INFORMATION ON TOBACCO-RELATED ACTIVITIES

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000067 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT PHUDAK AND AWINTON STATE ALSO FOR WHA/AND LPETRONI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD BL SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON TOBACCO-RELATED ACTIVITIES REF: STATE 957 ¶1. (U) The following responses are keyed to the questions in reftel: ¶A. (U) Post has not supported host country tobacco control efforts. ¶B. (U) Post has not taken action on behalf of tobacco or tobacco products, although post did invite a Philip Morris representative to speak at an October 2005 seminar encouraging greater respect for intellectual property rights. The executive called attention to the vast quantities of counterfeit cigarettes manufactured in Paraguay and neighboring countries, highlighted the firm's campaign to warn consumers of the dangers of counterfeit goods, and urged enhanced public and private sector efforts to intercept counterfeit products and protect intellectual property rights. Post in no way promoted the sale of tobacco products before, during, or after the seminar. ¶C. (U) Tobacco industry representatives have not requested assistance from U.S. embassy personnel. ¶D. (U) USG employees have not promoted tobacco or tobacco products or sought to reduce relevant marketing restrictions. GOLDBERG