The primary aim of this module is to allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of the close relationship between European and international trade law and the prevention of obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and apply the knowledge they will have gained throughout the course to clearly identified practical case studies.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Part I: Introduction (NCD prevention and its relationship to international economic law)

Part II: Notorious cases which have shaped the field (tobacco control)

Part III: Looking ahead – anticipating future disputes (food and alcohol regulation)

Seminar - 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.