[Intl-tobacco] Australia to sign FCTC

[Robert Weissman]

AUSTRALIA TO SIGN GLOBAL TOBACCO
                              TREATY
http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=69630&region=7

SBS
29.9.2003. 09:32:45

The anti-smoking
lobby group Quit
Victoria says the
Federal Government's
announcement it will
sign a global tobacco
treaty is an important
step towards banning
smoking in bars and
clubs in Australia.

Countries that sign
and then ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
will be legally obligated to clamp down on smoking and the
tobacco industry.

Measure include protecting non-smokers from smoke in
workplaces and public places and ending all tobacco
advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Quit Victoria spokesman Todd Harper says he is confident
smoking in entertainment venues will soon be banned in
Australia.

"The fact that the Federal Government has announced its
intention to sign the treaty, really puts in place an opportunity to
comprehensively address the leading cause of preventable
death in Australia."

"It is important, of course, to make workplaces safe. A workplace
that has smoking happening in that workplace is clearly not safe.
And at the moment one of the worst offenders we have are bars
and clubs."

Norway is the only country which has so far ratified the treaty.

SOURCE: Radio News