The primary aim of this module isto allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of the closerelationship between European and international trade law and the prevention ofobesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and apply the knowledge theywill have gained throughout the course to clearly identified practical casestudies.

(LO1) Students will develop a thorough understanding of the challenges that obesity and other chronic diseases pose for individual and population health, sustainable economic growth and social justice.

(LO2) They will develop a refined understanding of how– and to what extent – legal instruments can be used to effectively address these challenges. In particular, it will invite students to reflect on the legal strategies that the food, the alcohol and the tobacco industries have used to contest the adoption of evidence-based policies intended to promote healthier lifestyles and prevent obesity and other chronic diseases, and how they can evaluate their arguments in light of EU internal market, WTO and human rights law.

(LO3) Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the relationship between EU internal market law and the prevention of obesity and other chronic diseases. In particular, they will understand the powers that the EU has at its disposal to harmonise the laws of the Member States to address the major NCD risk factors (tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy diets) and will learn to critically assess how it has used its powers and how this has affected the autonomy of EU Member States as primarily responsible for the health and well-being of their citizens.

(LO4) Similarly, students will develop a good understanding of the relationship between relevant WTO rules and the prevention of obesity and other chronic diseases.

(LO5) Students will consider a range of specific case studies which will allow them to  ensure that they have practical examples of how relevant EU and WTO rules have been invoked and/or applied.

(S1) Students will develop independent research skills, as they will be required to search for and engage with a broad range of materials (anchored in law and in other disciplines), with a view to understanding EU internal market and WTO law in context.

(S2) Students will strengthen their critical legal skills and learn to apply them to specific, contemporary cases / policy developments involving the regulation of the food, tobacco and alcohol industries and the impact that their outcome may have on public health and chronic diseases prevention.

(S3) Students will develop their ability to search for and rely upon interdisciplinary material and reflect on how legal rules are informed by “evidence” originating from other disciplines (public health, epidemiology, psychology, sociology).

(S4) Students will develop their ability to act as advocates for a given party both in consultation and in litigation exercises. They will learn to represent their clients and adopt the appropriate style to persuade relevant audiences.

(S5) Students will understand the role and the limits that law can play to prevent better health and how it can be framed to this effect. They will therefore reflect on how the law can promote or hinder social justice, health equalities and sustainable development.

This course seeks to provide a critical introduction to the trade and investment regimes for those interested in the prevention of NCDs, identifying key principles which need to be kept in mind when formulating and implementing NCD prevention strategies and policies. These principles will be taught through a range of specific case studies.
NCD prevention and its relationship to international economic law
Notorious cases which have shaped the field (tobacco control)
Looking ahead – anticipating future disputes (food and alcohol regulation)

Teaching Method 1 - Seminar
Description: The teaching will be delivered through two-hour weekly participatory classes. Each class will have two parts: the first part of the class will require that students present the work they will have done from one week to the next, whilst the second part of the class will consist in ensuring that students are given the basic information required to engage in more depth through self-study with a given topic and work on a specific presentation for the following week.
Attendance Recorded: Yes