[Intl-tobacco] Tobacco treaty in danger of failure - US, EU, Japan sell-out feared

[Robert Weissman]

Geneva tobacco negotiations in danger of failure - sell-out feared

ASH today warned governments and WHO that the tobacco convention to be
negotiated in Geneva this week is in danger of serious and irreversible
failure - and the opportunity to mount a global response to the tobacco
epidemic squandered.  ASH said the bad outlook was due to a combination of:

+A weak and ill-considered negotiating text [see What's wrong with the
Chair's text?].

+ The negative attitude of the European Union which just wants an agreement
on its own narrow terms - no matter how feeble, or what opportunities are
lost - [the EU will be sticking strictly to measures already agreed at the
European level].

+ The new George W. Bush administration with its notorious connections to
the tobacco industry and evident disdain for international treaties [see
briefing on Bush links to tobacco]

+ The links between Japan and the tobacco industry - the Japanese government
owns Japan Tobacco International, which is now implicated in major smuggling
allegations through its acquisition of RJ Reynolds' international business
and facing racketeering litigation (RICO) brought by the European Union and
nine member states [see racketeering briefing].

+ Certain developing countries trying to exploit the treaty to claim
compensation or otherwise trying to wreck the negotiations.

The Chair's text starts off weak, but when this is diluted to the common
ground between European Union, Japan and United States - let alone the other
190 countries - there is almost nothing left.  Clive Bates, Director of ASH
is attending the meeting to lobby delegates for a strong treaty.  Bates
said:

"We expect the US to oppose any serious advertising restrictions, we expect
the EU to be weak on smuggling, and we expect Japan to try to block consumer
protection measures like a ban on misleading 'light' branding.  By the time
they've each watered down the text to their liking, there may not be much
left".

"Some of the EU member states like Britain and France talked a good talk,
but when it came to it, they just surrendered to the deadening hand of
Brussels.  Britain started off promising leadership, but has weakened the EU
position by opposing tough action on smuggling."

"The way things are going, we are going to end up with hot air and empty
resolutions of good intent. This is the week when we will find out if
governments are simply making gestures or if they have the guts to take on
the tobacco industry and really deal with the world's biggest public health
epidemic."

"The danger is that too many governments and the WHO just want a treaty and
any treaty will do.  The success or failure this treaty will be judged on
whether it bans tobacco advertising, protects consumers and tackles
smuggling.

Note: ASH materials on the FCTC http://www.ash.org.uk/?international
including detailed analysis of the Chair's text + overview + two page
summary

Contact: Clive Bates    +44 77 6879 1237 (mobile)             +41 22 716
1212 (hotel) room 713
+44 20 7739 5902 (ASH office)            ISDN available in London