[Intl-tobacco] Statements on FCTC Going into Effect
robert weissman
rob@essential.org
Wed, 01 Dec 2004 13:48:38 -0500
World Health Organization logo =09World Health Organization
WHO tobacco Treaty set to become law, making global public health history
Key milestone reached as 40th country ratifies WHO Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control
1 DECEMBER 2004 | GENEVA -- The World Health Organization Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) will enter into force and
become part of international law in 90 days, following ratification by
40 countries in the past 17 months. The WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control will improve health by contributing to the reduction of
tobacco consumption, currently the cause of premature death for nearly
five million people every year.
Peru became the 40th state to ratify the Treaty on 30 November 2004. In
less than a year and a half, forty countries from all regions of the
world have taken the necessary steps to become Contracting Parties to
the Treaty, making it the first international legally binding public
health treaty under the auspices of WHO.
"The momentum growing around the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control seems unstoppable. It demonstrates the importance placed by the
international community on saving many of the millions of lives now lost
to tobacco,=94 said Dr LEE Jong-wook, WHO Director-General. "I look
forward to more countries joining the 40 states that are making it
possible for this Treaty to become law."
The WHO FCTC was unanimously adopted by the 56th World Health Assembly
in May 2003 following almost three years of negotiations. During the
year that followed, while it was open for signature, 167 countries and
the European Community signed, and 23 countries became Contracting
Parties to the Framework Convention, making it one of the most rapidly
embraced UN Treaties of all time.
The WHO FCTC will enter into force on 28 February 2005, in 90 days. From
that date on, the 40 Contracting Parties will be legally bound by the
provisions of the Treaty. These provisions set international standards
on tobacco price and tax increases, tobacco advertising and sponsorship,
labelling, illicit trade and second-hand smoke.
"Now the real work must start," stressed Dr Catherine Le Gal=E8s-Camus,
Assistant Director-General for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental
Health at WHO. "The Convention sets forth the ideal goals and a roadmap
for the work that needs to be implemented in countries. WHO will
continue to support all countries in the vital work of building capacity
and implementing the Treaty."
The Director of the Tobacco Free Initiative at the WHO, Dr Vera Luiza da
Costa e Silva, congratulated the 40 states that have become Parties: "I
applaud these first 40 countries that are making history in
international tobacco control and public health. Among the 40
Contracting Parties to the Convention there are rich and poor countries
from all regions of the world. They are setting a precedent by showing
that any country can join the Treaty, regardless of their geographical
or economic situation," she said.
The WHO FCTC is intended to control what has become the second biggest
killer of our time. Tobacco consumption is the single leading
preventable cause of death. It will prematurely end the lives of 10
million people a year by 2020 if current trends are not reversed.
Tobacco is the only legal product that causes the death of one half of
its regular users. This means that of the current 1.3 billion smokers,
650 million people will die prematurely due to tobacco.
Notes to editors
The WHO FCTC closed for signature on 29 June 2004 with 168 signatories
(including the European Community) and 23 ratifications (or its legal
equivalent). The 40 Contracting Parties to the WHO FCTC as of 30
November 2004 are Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei
Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland,
India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius,
Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palau,
Panama, Peru, Qatar, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia,
Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay.
The WHO FCTC has provisions that set international standards on tobacco
price and tax increases, tobacco advertising and sponsorship, labelling,
illicit trade and second-hand smoke. The Treaty will enter into force on
28 February 2005 which is 90 days after the date of deposit of the 40th
instrument of ratification (or its legal equivalent) by a State.
The Treaty continues from now on to be open for ratification, acceptance
or approval for those countries that have signed, and is open for
accession for those that have not. There is no deadline for countries to
become Contracting Parties to the WHO FCTC. Any State that becomes a
Contracting Party will be bound by the Treaty 90 days following the
deposit of its instrument of ratification (or equivalent) in the United
Nations Headquarters.
The body that will govern the WHO FCTC is the Conference of the Parties
(COP). The first session of the COP will take place within a year from
the date of entry into force, as specified in the Convention itself. The
COP is expected to determine further procedural and technical issues
relating to its future development.
For more information contact:
Marta Seoane
Communications officer,
Telephone: +41 22 791 2489
Email: seoanem@who.int
---------
Statement of Mary Assunta
Chair, Framework Convention Alliance
On the 40th Ratification of the International Tobacco Treaty
The Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) salutes the 40 countries that have
ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), helping to
bring it to life. This is much awaited news and a gigantic step forward in
arresting the global tobacco epidemic.
The bulk of the first 40 countries to ratify the treaty are from developing
countries, demonstrating their seriousness and leadership in tackling the
tobacco epidemic. Also among the 40 are countries that have already enforce=
d
comprehensive tobacco control programmes such as Thailand, Singapore, New
Zealand and Australia. They serve as models and provide concrete examples o=
n
how countries should interpret the FCTC's provisions in the most stringent
manner possible.
The FCA cautions, however, that the devil is in the details. Weak
interpretation and poor implementation of the FCTC's provisions will not
promote public health or save lives. Countries should aim for tight, maximu=
m
protection for the public rather than settle for the bare minimum.
This treaty sends a clear message to the transnational tobacco companies
that the days of ineffective self-regulations and vacuous guidelines are
well and truly over.
One of guiding principles of the FCTC states the participation of civil
society is essential in achieving the objectives of the Convention. We hope
this paves the way for more meaningful participation of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) in the follow-up to the FCTC.
The FCA also recommends that the parties to the FCTC initiate negotiations
on protocols on advertising and smuggling as soon as possible.
Members of the Alliance from around the world are available for interviews =
-
please contact Nicole Dueffert at 00 1 202 296 5469.
The Framework Convention Alliance is a diverse alliance of over 200
non-governmental organisations from more than 90 countries that are workin=
g
to support the development of a strong Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control, and related protocols. The Alliance includes individual NGOs and
organisations working at the local or national level as well as existing
coalitions/alliances working at national, regional and international levels=
.
For a full list of members, see www.fctc.org.
---------
>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>> November 30, 2004
>>
>> CONTACT:=09Nicole Dueffert
>> 202-296-5469
>>
>> Tobacco Treaty To Take Effect as 40th Country Ratifies;
>> U.S. Should Ratify As Well
>> Statement of Matthew L. Myers
>> President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
>>
>> WASHINGTON, DC (November 30, 2004) - The international tobacco
treaty, the
>> Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), will become
international
>> law in 90 days now that the required 40 countries have ratified the
>> treaty. Peru today became the fortieth nation to ratify the treaty and
>> many more countries are nearing ratification as well. The entry into
>> force of the tobacco treaty represents an historic step toward reducing
>> tobacco's terrible toll in lives and health around the world.
>> Unfortunately, while the U.S. has signed the treaty, the Administration
>> has yet to send it to the Senate for ratification. We urge our
government
>> to join the growing number of countries that have ratified the tobacco
>> treaty.
>>
>> The United States' failure to ratify the treaty has left it standing on
>> the sidelines and out of the international debate on addressing what is
>> the leading preventable cause of death both in our country and
around the
>> globe. U.S. ratification of the treaty is critical to ensuring that th=
e
>> U.S. is seen as a leader in protecting public health around the world.
>> Unless the U.S. ratifies the treaty shortly, it will not be able to
>> participate in negotiating side agreements on issues such as cigarette
>> smuggling that are of importance to the U.S. As home to Philip Morris,
>> the world's largest multinational tobacco company, the U.S. has a
special
>> obligation to provide global leadership in reducing the alarming
rates of
>> death and disease caused by tobacco use. The U.S. has historically
been a
>> leader in protecting public health around the world and can play
that role
>> again by ratifying the tobacco treaty and supporting its effective
>> implementation domestically and internationally. Health and Human
>> Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has said, "I'm hopeful we can get
this
>> treaty to pass on a bipartisan basis." The Administration should
waste no
>> time in working to achieve that goal.
>>
>> Ratification and effective implementation of the treaty are critical to
>> turning the tide of the global tobacco epidemic. Tobacco use already
>> kills nearly five million people worldwide every year. If current
trends
>> continue, it will kill 10 million a year within two decades, with 70
>> percent of those deaths in developing nations. These nations have been
>> the primary targets of the tobacco companies as smoking rates have
slowly
>> declined in more developed nations.
>>
>> The treaty gives nations powerful new tools to protect the health of
their
>> citizens from the tobacco industry's deceptions and slick marketing. I=
t
>> requires ratifying nations to adopt two policies proven to reduce
smoking
>> and save lives: a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising,
promotion and
>> sponsorship, with an exception for nations with constitutional
constraints
>> (such as the U.S.), and large health warning labels that cover at
least 30
>> percent of cigarette packs. The treaty also provides nations with a
>> roadmap for enacting strong, science-based policies in other areas,
>> including secondhand smoke protections, tobacco taxation, tobacco
product
>> regulation and measures to combat cigarette smuggling.
>>
>> We applaud the 40 countries that have ratified the treaty for their
>> leadership in reducing tobacco use. These 40 countries include major
>> tobacco producing nations such as India and Japan; countries with stron=
g
>> domestic tobacco control policies, such as Thailand, Australia and
Norway;
>> and countries hoping to use the treaty to improve laws and regulations,
>> such as France and Mexico.
>>
>> While ratification of the treaty is an important step forward, it still
>> represents only the beginning of the process of reducing tobacco use an=
d
>> saving lives around the world. Now it is critical that individual
nations
>> resist the tobacco industry's efforts to influence domestic legislation
>> and approve strong measures that effectively implement the treaty. The
>> U.S. should be a leader in these efforts and demonstrate that it is
>> strongly committed to global tobacco control efforts despite its
repeated
>> efforts during the treaty negotiations to weaken almost every provision
>> and support positions consistent with those of the tobacco industry. Th=
e
>> U.S. should set an example by ratifying and implementing the treaty and
>> providing financial and technical assistance to other nations in
>> implementing it.
>>
>> A list of countries that have ratified the treaty can be found at:
>> www.who.int/tobacco/framework/countrylist/en/
>>
--------
ASH news release: For immediate release: Wednesday 1st December 2004
ASH applauds 40th ratification of global tobacco treaty and calls for
immediate ratification by the UK Government
Peru has become the fortieth country to ratify the Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the international tobacco treaty negotiated
under the auspices of the World Health Organisation. [1] Now that 40
countries have ratified it, this groundbreaking treaty is set to become
international law in 90 days. ASH applauds Peru and the other countries
that have ratified the FCTC for taking a major step forward in the
worldwide battle against tobacco.
Deborah Arnott, Director of ASH said:
"We call on the UK government to immediately ratify the FCTC.
Ratification and implementation of the treaty are critical to reducing
the death and disease caused by tobacco in our country. Delaying
ratification only serves the interest of the tobacco industry."
The FCTC contains most of the measures that countries need to take to
reduce tobacco consumption. The FCTC obliges countries to:
* enact a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, marketing and
promotion;
* place large, graphic warnings on cigarette packs;
* ban the use of misleading descriptors such as "light",
"low-tar" and "mild;"
* raise tobacco taxes significantly;
* provide smoke-free public spaces and workplaces;
* compel companies to disclose the contents of tobacco products;
and
* consider using litigation to hold the tobacco industry liable
for its wrongdoings.
In a letter to Tony Blair, ASH urges the government to honour its
commitment to ratify the global tobacco treaty without further delay. In
addition, ASH is seeking clarification on what planning mechanisms will
be put in place to ensure that the UK complies with the FCTC's
requirement of a comprehensive national tobacco control strategy.
The World Health Organization estimates that about 4.9 million people
die each year from tobacco use. If current trends continue, this figure
will reach about 10 million per year by 2030, with 70 percent of those
deaths occurring in developing countries. While the measures in the
FCTC represent a minimum set of tobacco control policies, the treaty
explicitly encourages countries to go above and beyond these measures.
Strong action on the part of countries will give them the opportunity to
reduce the human suffering caused by tobacco and curb runaway costs of
tobacco-related health care.
ENDS
Notes and links:
[1] The 40 countries that have ratified the FCTC as of today are:
Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook
Islands, Fiji, France, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Jordan,
Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia,
Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Peru,
Qatar, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay. [2] For further
information about the FCTC see: http://www.fctc.org/about_FCTC/
Contact: Deborah Arnott 020 7739 5902 (w) 079 7693 5987 (m) ISDN
available
-----
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Unice Lieberman
American Cancer Society
Phone: (202) 661-5711
Email: Unice.Lieberman@cancer.org
Global Tobacco Treaty Set To Take Effect;
American Cancer Society Urges Swift U.S. Ratification
WASHINGTON =96 November 30, 2004 =96 The campaign to reduce the global
burden of tobacco-related disease celebrates a significant victory today
as Peru became the 40th country to ratify the Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world=92s first global public health treaty.
Under the terms of the treaty, Peru=92s ratification triggers a 90-day
countdown after which the FCTC becomes legally binding on all nations
that have ratified it. It was unanimously adopted by the World Health
Organization (WHO) in 2003 but requires formal ratification by
individual countries in order to take effect.
The American Cancer Society, a strong supporter of the treaty, applauded
the news as a hallmark in the global fight against cancer. =93The FCTC is
on track to save millions of lives worldwide,=94 said John R. Seffrin,
PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. =93This is a
tremendous milestone for global public health.=94
The FCTC is especially important to low-income nations, which
multinational tobacco companies have targeted as their most important
growth markets. It gives these nations powerful new tools to protect the
health of their citizens from the tobacco industry=92s deceptive
advertising and lobbying. The treaty requires ratifying nations to
eliminate all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, with a
narrow exception for nations such as the United States, whose
constitutions may not allow a complete ban. It also requires warning
labels to occupy at least 30 percent of the front and back of every pack
of cigarettes; commits nations to protect nonsmokers from tobacco smoke
in indoor workplaces; urges strict regulation of tobacco product
contents; and calls for higher tobacco taxes, global coordination to
fight tobacco smuggling, and promotion of tobacco prevention, cessation
and research programs.
The United States is one of 168 countries that have signed the treaty.
Signing indicates support but does not create an obligation to abide by
the treaty=92s provisions. Although the U.S. Administration has not yet
submitted the treaty to the U.S. Senate for consideration, a two-thirds
majority vote in the Senate would ratify the treaty and the U.S. would
become a member state, legally obligated to follow treaty rules.
The American Cancer Society strongly encourages U.S. ratification. =93Our
nation faces some agonizing foreign policy dilemmas,=94 Dr. Seffrin said.
=93Whether or not to ratify the FCTC is not one of them. This is a case
where the global good, our national interest, and public opinion all
point toward a single conclusion: we should ratify and fully implement
this treaty. Our nation should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the
rest of the world on this issue.=94
Dr. Seffrin also called on the United States to expand its financial and
technical support for tobacco control in low-and middle-income nations.
=93Helping nations that are struggling to put effective tobacco control
programs in place is one of the most cost-effective investments in
public health that our nation can make,=94 Dr. Seffrin said.
Worldwide, tobacco use kills an estimated 4.9 million people each year
-- more than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. The death toll is expected
to rise sharply due to the rapid growth in smoking rates in low-income
nations. The WHO estimates that 500 million people alive today,
including 250 million children, ultimately will die premature deaths
because of tobacco use. In the United States, about 440,000 people die
each year from tobacco-related illnesses, and nearly one-third of all
cancer deaths are attributable to tobacco use.
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a
major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and
preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society
has 14 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities,
involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more
information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. # # #