The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in fighting measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption in several countries, although much of its lobbying has taken place behind the scenes, according to an investigation by the New York Times.

The newspaper reported that tobacco companies have turned to the Chamber as the industry "has faced one of the most serious threats in its history. A global treaty, negotiated through the World Health Organization, mandates anti-smoking measures and also seeks to curb the influence of the tobacco industry in policy making."

The Chamber has responded by lobbying against anti-smoking laws through it foreign affiliates and by encouraging countries to use international trade treaties to sue other nations with stricter anti-tobacco laws. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue has personally defended the ability of the tobacco industry to use trade treaties to challenge anti-tobacco laws, the New York Times reported.

In a statement, the Chamber responded that it "regularly reaches out to governments around the world to urge them to avoid measures that discriminate against particular companies or industries, undermine their trademarks or brands, or destroy their intellectual property."

The Chamber has more than 100 affiliates throughout the world. http://nyti.ms/1RPVVGO

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