Free trade deal is a major threat to UK public health, warn experts

The new deal will make it harder for the UK to regulate tobacco and alcohol or ban products like those containing harmful pesticides, warns analysts.

The UK’s decision to join one of the world’s largest free trade agreements, known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), poses a major threat to UK public health, warn experts in The BMJ.

In acceding to the CPTPP, the government hopes to boost trade, improve economic growth, and strengthen the UK’s strategic position as a global rule setter.

Courtney McNamara and colleagues argue that free trade deals have serious and wide-ranging implications for public health and policy making, as they commit countries to certain regulatory and legal obligations.