Dichotomy Between U.S. Tobacco Export Policy and Antismoking Initiatives

T-NSIAD-90-42: Published: May 17, 1990. Publicly Released: May 17, 1990.

Additional Materials:

Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

GAO discussed the U.S. government's role in helping the export of tobacco and tobacco products and the health-related implications of those activities. GAO found that: (1) the United States has a growing trade surplus in tobacco and tobacco products; (2) U.S. trade officials said that tobacco was legally sold in the United States and abroad and should be treated no differently than other products; (3) the U.S. trade representative did not appear to give preferential treatment to tobacco products over other items; (4) despite some difficulties in removing foreign barriers to U.S tobacco exports, there seemed to be no long-term adverse implications for U.S relations with four targeted countries; (5) the U.S. Surgeon General has determined that smoking is hazardous to health, and the U.S government actively works to discourage smoking, both domestically and internationally; (6) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has the lead role in the U.S. government's smoking and health efforts; (7) the U.S. government supports international organizations' smoking prevention programs; (8) despite the government's anti-smoking efforts, health issues were not considered during negotiations for the removal of foreign trade barriers to U.S. tobacco exports; (9) HHS has been discouraged from activities that link health issues with U.S. tobacco exports; and (10) HHS perceives tobacco export issues as a trade matter.

Jan 14, 2021

Jan 4, 2021

Dec 22, 2020

Dec 16, 2020

Dec 14, 2020

Dec 10, 2020

Dec 7, 2020

Dec 1, 2020

Looking for more? Browse all our products here