Australian politician’s speech at tobacco conference in September allegedly in breach of WHO treaty

Exclusive: Discussion on panel came as federal government was developing reforms to address high rates of youth nicotine addiction

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An Australian politician spoke at the tobacco industry’s flagship conference in South Korea, despite the federal government developing reforms to address alarming rates of youth nicotine addiction.

It is the first time in more than a decade that a serving Australian politician has spoken at a tobacco industry-funded conference. Attending such events could breach a World Health Organization (WHO) treaty, to which Australia is a signatory.

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