Why did UICC decide to pull its support from the World Cancer Series?

Economist Impact was scheduled to host its 10th Annual World Cancer Series in Brussels at the September 30th-October 1st 2024. This two-day event had garnered participation from over 300 attendees and 80 speakers.

The World Cancer Series Europe is organized by The Economist Group that focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities in cancer care across Europe. This event gathers a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, industry leaders, academics, patient advocates, and investors. The series emphasizes critical themes such as innovation, equity, and excellence, which are central to the European Beating Cancer Plan.

The event was canceled in response to significant backlash concerning its affiliations with tobacco firms.

Concerns were raised about the ethical implications of accepting sponsorships from companies associated with tobacco, given the well-documented health risks related to smoking and its connection to cancer. This controversy highlighted the ongoing debates within the healthcare community about funding sources and conflicts of interest, leading to the decision to cancel the conference to maintain the integrity of discussions on cancer care.

“UICC regrets to announce that it has made the decision to withdraw as a supporting organisation from the World Cancer Series (WCS), organised by Economist Impact. This decision stems from the fact that UICC has learned that Economist Impact works with Philip Morris International (PMI) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI).

UICC has a longstanding policy of not engaging with the tobacco industry, in alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This policy reflects our commitment to public health and our dedication to reducing the global burden of cancer.  

Tobacco causes 85% of lung cancers and it is a risk factor for multiple non-communicable diseases. ” – UICC

 

Critics argued that partnerships with tobacco companies undermine the integrity of public health discussions and research, especially in a forum focused on cancer. The controversy highlighted ongoing debates within the healthcare community about funding sources and the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from collaborating with industries that have a negative impact on health.

“In what world can an organisation seriously think it is all right to run a prominent cancer event, bringing together world experts, while also taking sponsorship from a company whose product has caused millions of cancer deaths worldwide? Absolutely shocking.” – Mark Lawler

Here’s a posts by individuals and organizations on social media regarding the cancellation:

Tobacco Control Research Group:

“We applaud Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for pulling out of the World Cancer Series due to the event organiser’s tobacco industry links.

Smoking causes at least 16 different types of cancer and is responsible 27% of all cancer deaths.

Public health organisations can work together globally to stop the industry from interfering in efforts to protect public health from its products.”

Ophira Ginsburg:

“Wow!! We should all be vigilant to look for these kinds of conflicts – this one is particularly egregious. Good on Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and others for pulling out. Such industry efforts to shape the cancer control agenda must be curtailed … (and it isn’t only big tobacco)..”

Wanda de Kanter:

“UICC confirmed that the World Cancer Series was organized by the Economist Impact of the gangs and the tobacco industry.

Economist Impact works seeds with Philip Morris International (PMI) and Japan Tobacco International(JTI).”

Suomen ASH:

“The International Union on Cancer, UICC, has announced that it will end its support for Economist Impact’s World Cancer Series (WCS) because of the think tank’s ties to the tobacco industry.”

VapingIT:

“Any organization demanding tobacco tax revenue, derived from people who smoke to be redistributed to themselves, are financially and directly tied to tobacco tax revenue, and should ‘pull out’.”

Action Smoking and Health:

“ALERT: Economist Impact accepted a Philip Morris Intl paid/sponsored post.

We encourage partners to withdraw participation from the 10th annual World Cancer Series Europe – Sept 30 -Oct 1, 2024 in Brussels.

Working with the tobacco industry goes against the WHO tobacco treaty.”

Read about Cancer Types on oncodaily.com