| dc.description.abstract | Background: The main focus of this thesis is to discuss to what extent the global regulation of tobacco control is governed by state power and interests, and to what extent it is governed by both state and non-state actors and interests, from the perspective of two different analytical approaches - realism and global health governance (GHG). The thesis identifies the core actors affecting the global regulation of tobacco control and analysis their role and functions in this regulation. Research questions: This study sought to respond to two research questions. The first question is: “What are the major actors affecting the global regulation of tobacco?” The second question is based on the perspectives of realism and global health governance: “What is the role of state and non-state actors and international regimes in global regulation of tobacco?” Methods/data: In order to answer these research questions, we analyzed legal cases and documents through which we identified state actors and interests as well as non-state actors and interests and their role in global regulation of tobacco control. The thesis is a qualitative study based on a case study approach. The case study contains a set of legal cases between Australia and tobacco industry regarding Australia’s Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011. We have also supplemented the case study with secondary sources such as literature, scholarly journal articles, publications from international organizations and newspaper articles, as well as with other known cases regarding similar tobacco control measures implemented by other state governments. Results: The findings showed that even though state power and interests seem to play a prominent role, non-state actors and interests are also in play with regard to tobacco control. Based on the outcomes of the analyzed legal cases we also concluded that health protection turned out to be prevailing factor over trade and investment. We also came up with some key observations based on these findings. For example, Fidler’s assertion - that states are not the only important actors in global health governance -, found support in our data, as we have seen tobacco companies using forum shopping, international legal regimes and governments to further their interests. The main conclusion is that the global health governance approach contributes to increase the understanding of the underpinnings and mechanisms of global tobacco regulation, and is thus an important and expedient supplement to the realist approach to international relations. | eng |