Take Action - Strengthen warning labels in Uganda!

[Anna White]

Dear Friends,

Phillip Karugaba of The Environmental Action Network reports that the
Uganda National Bureau of Standards has published new standards for
cigarette health warning labels in Uganda. If no objection is received
within the next 60 days the standards are to be recommended to the
Minister of Trade & Industry for adoption.

Unfortunately, the new standards are extremely weak. They prescribe a
new warning label "HEALTH WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING IS HARMFUL TO YOUR
HEALTH", in English and Swahili, and in small font. The warning does not
mention any specific health problems, nor does it mandate a specific
size, color, or placement of the warning -- not to mention the inclusion
of hard-hitting graphic images (particularly vital for people who are
not literate). Instead, Ugandan tobacco control advocates are urging
their country to adopt strong Canadian/Brazilian-style health warnings*.

TAKE ACTION: Send an email to the Executive Director of the Uganda
National Bureau of Standards!

     Go to: http://petition.globalink.org/view.php?code=uganda

A sample letter is provided, that we encourage you to modify.  If you
are not an Ugandan citizen, you might briefly describe who you are and
why you are motivated to write. And if applicable, you might cite a
relevant study or personal story re: the effectiveness of
Canada/Brazil-style warnings

* Brazil's warning labels:
http://www.smokefreeair.org/ses/Brazil_Warnings.jpg
Canada's warning labels:
http://www.nsra-adnf.ca/english/warnexamples.html

Thanks for participating!
Anna

Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Essential Action
P.O. Box 19405
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1 202-387-8030
Fax: +1 202-234-5176
Email: awhite@essential.org
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco