國際衛生法律問題專題
International Health Law Course Description

Chang-fa Lo
September 2009

1. Administrative matters:
(1) Reading materials are in English and discussions will also be held in English.
(2) Participants need to come to the class each and every time with good preparations. No one should misses two or more classes without good reason and prior approval.
(3) The course will be conducted in an interactive way. Participation in the discussions in the classes is of high importance.
(4) Participants will have to choose a topic and make presentation at later part of this semester.
2. There is no well defined scope for the term “international health law”. However, there are some important international instruments governing or dealing directly with international health. The most prominent ones are the WHO Constitution, the International Health Regulations 2005, and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. There are also other international agreements having greater relevance with international health or international health law. Some trade agreements are among this group of agreements.
3. Taking into account of the time span and the bulk of materials that might be relevant to us, we might need to have more focused discussions on selected issues. This is one of the reasons for me to decide having a lesser extent of discussions on certain areas, but a higher level of engagement in discussing some limited areas. The areas that I decide to have higher extent of discussion are the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005); the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and their relations with international trade.
4. The topics to be discussed include:
(1) WHO Constitution and Its Governance
(2) Historical Perspectives of International Health Cooperation & Health as a rights (right to heath); Nature of IHR
(3) Sovereignty, Health and IHR; Universal Application under IHR; Human Right and IHR
(4) The Operation of IHR from National and WHO Perspectives
(5) Bioterrorism and IHR; International Cooperation
(6) Relations between IHR and WTO Agreements
(7) Nature of FCTC; Guiding Principles; General Obligations
(8) Measures relating to the reduction of demand for tobacco (Price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco)
(9) Measures relating to the reduction of demand for tobacco (Non-price measures to reduce the demand for tobacco; Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke; Regulation of the contents; Regulation of tobacco product disclosures; Packaging and labeling of tobacco products; Education, communication, training and public awareness; Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; Demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation);
(10) Measures relating to the reduction of the supply of tobacco (Illicit trade in tobacco products; Sales to and by minors; Provision of support for economically viable alternative activities); Protection of the environment; Questions related to liability; others related issues
(11) Relations between FCTC and WTO agreements
5. After completing the topics, the participants will start their presentations.