Conflict-of-Interest.net

The role of the state in protecting public health (an important value) while also encouraging economic development (another important value) is an interesting example of the multiplicity of values or interests at stake in public policy, that can sometimes come into conflict. Classic examples include controlling gambling (state lotteries, casinos, slot machines), and the sale of alcohol (e.g., through state/provincial liquor stores) or cigarettes, cases where the state’s responsibility to prevent or discourage unhealthy behaviour in the name of public health (usually within the scope of a Ministry of Health) comes up against a strong interest in the important tax revenues generated by the sale of these legal (but somewhat dangerous) products. While public health has an increasingly prominent place in public policy, it would hard not to be somewhat cynical about the predominance of economic interests (tax revenue) in government decision making. But such differences in values or interests do not, in and of themselves, constitute formal COI. For COI to be an issue, there needs to be more direct influence on the objectivity of decision makers…

Issues of state policy:

• Reporter’s Notebook: China’s Conflict of Interest on Tobacco

Issues about research:

• Could FDA Panel Conflict of Interest Endanger Menthol Cigarettes?

P.S. June 7, 2011:Gov’t in conflict of interest over tackling smoking (Malaysia) and
Anti-Tobacco Campaign Heats Up in China Despite Conflict of Interest Among Administrators (China)