Somewhat predictably, Global Trade Watch is going nuts about this decision. Todd Tucker actually tweeted: "The #WTO paves the way for kids smoking cola ciggies and dying from lung cancer."
I understand the role of rhetoric in achieving policy goals, so I don't take most of their statements too seriously. But, I do wonder how big a deal this decision will be in terms of broader perceptions of the WTO. Will people see this decision as the WTO being insensitive to public health concerns? Or will they instead see this decision as potentially good for public health (if menthol cigarettes are now banned), or having very little impact (if the fairly obscure clove cigarettes are now legalized)?
