[Intl-tobacco] Waxman Accuses Admininstration on FCTC

[Robert Weissman]

Administration Accused on Tobacco
Washington Post

By Nancy Zuckerbrod
Associated Press Writer
Monday, November 19, 2001; 6:07 PM

WASHINGTON ?? A House Democrat accused the Bush administration of taking
its cues in international tobacco negotiations from Philip Morris, the
nation's largest cigarette manufacturer.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., made the charge in a letter sent Monday to
President Bush that was timed to draw attention to negotiations on an
international treaty aimed at cutting cigarette-related
deaths. The talks resume Thursday in Geneva.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan rejected Waxman's claims.

"The United States is a world leader in research and tobacco control
programs, particularly when it comes to the prevention of tobacco use by
minors, and we will continue to participate actively in the
international framework as negotiations move forward," McClellan said.

Waxman, the ranking Democrat on the Government Reform Committee and a
tobacco foe, said U.S. negotiators have sided with Philip Morris in
opposing mandatory tobacco taxes and restrictions on
cigarette exports, among other issues.

"The United States should be a leader in the international effort to
fight tobacco use ? not the principal obstacle to a strong treaty,"
Waxman wrote.

Waxman also noted that Philip Morris is a key contributor to the GOP.
The company gave Republicans about $3 million in the last election
cycle, according to The Center for Responsive Politics.

Mark Berlind, associate general counsel for Philip Morris Management
Corp., denied Waxman's allegations.

"We are not working together with the U.S. government," Berlind said,
adding that Philip Morris wants a treaty that will bring stability.

"We need to know what the rules are," he said.

The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
hopes to have a treaty by 2003. U.S. negotiators and Philip Morris
oppose strong language in the draft treaty stating that
governments will prohibit duty-free sales of cigarettes and impose taxes
on tobacco products.

The company and administration also want to eliminate a measure that
would ban the use of terms such as "low tar" or "light." Health
advocates say such phrases lull smokers into falsely thinking those
cigarettes are safe.

Philip Morris and the administration are not in lockstep on every issue.
For example, international negotiators want to require tobacco companies
to disclose all their advertising and promotional
expenditures. Philip Morris wants the provision deleted, while the
administration says it's OK to release general information.

In at least one instance, U.S. negotiators sought to strengthen the
draft treaty. The document calls for a ban on cigarette vending machines
in places accessible to minors; the administration wants a ban
on all tobacco vending machines.