Conclusions

The aim of this book has been to critically analyse the interface betweenhuman rights and tobacco control. As evidenced by a vast amount of scientificresearch, tobacco has a devastating impact on the lives, health and well-beingof many individuals in society. The production, sale and consumption oftobacco therefore raise important questions from the perspective of humanrights

Law in the time of chronic disease

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are the most important public health challenge of our times. Four behavioral risk factors are at the root of these diseases: smoking, excessive use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and a lack of physical exercise.This inaugural lecture addresses the way in which international and domestic law can play a role in reducing these risk factors. Law is a powerful tool to be wielded in the effort to reduce unhealthy behavior in society and has the untapped potential to be applied more effectively in this context

States’ Resilience to Future Health Emergencies:Connecting the Dots between Core Obligations and Core Capacities

Covid-19 has put a spotlight on the responsibilities of States under the International Health Regulations and on State accountability in case of a breach.[1] In addition, there has been much debate about how measures to protect against Covid-19 infringe on the enjoyment of civil and political rights, in particular rights to privacy and freedom of movement.[2] It will be important to evaluate these matters carefully given the current crisis. While these approaches and dimensions are valuable, we should also look beyond this crisis and address country preparedness to future infectious disease outbreaks. To this end, this Reflection assesses how according to international law, all countries around the world are required to be prepared to respond to a future public health emergency. It does so from the perspective of the right to health as an economic and social right, in interaction with the International Health Regulations (IHR). This contribution is grounded in the understanding that Covid-19 reflects, in essence, a crisis of the right to health: because countries do not deliver the right to health as reflected by the IHR, many other problems including violations of international law arise

International health law:an emerging field of public international law

This article discusses the nature and scope of international health law as anemerging field of public international law. It is argued that the protection of healthreflects a pressing social need that should now be spoken of in the vocabulary ofinternational law. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for counterbalancing interestssuch as international trade, global commerce and the welfare interests of the protectionof the health of both individuals and populations worldwide. As of now,international health law is not a well-developed field. The health-related standardsettinglegal instruments are very fragmented as there is no overall internationalrecognition of international health law as a distinct branch of international law.Enormous challenges lie ahead, especially in terms of strengthening the existinginstruments and addressing the responsibilities of non-state actors in the health field

Covid-19 puts the spotlight on international law and Human Rights

Over the past months Covid-19 has forced you to stay at home and to think locally. Yet we should not lose sight of the international dimensions of this crisis. For students of international affairs in particular, it is important to realize that this crisis is very much a matter of international law. Two regimes are of specific importance in this crisis: the International Health Regulations of the WorldHealth Organization (2005) and international human rights law. In this contribution I will discuss their nature and their specific relevance in this crisis, as well as their interaction