[Intl-tobacco] FCTC Enters Into Force

[Robert Weissman]

Releases from:

1. WHO
2. Framework Convention Alliance
3. Framework Convention Alliance - Statement from Mary Asunta
4. Corporate Accountability International

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: =09[FCA] WHO Press Release GLOBAL tobacco treaty ENTERS INTO
FORCE with 57 countries already committed
Date: =09Thu, 24 Feb 2005 14:31:10 +0000
From: =09Laurent Huber <FCA@globalink.org>
Reply-To: =09Laurent Huber <FCA@globalink.org>
To: =09rob@essential.org



Press Release WHO/9

*24 February 2005*

* GLOBAL tobacco treaty ENTERS INTO FORCE with 57 countries already
committed*

* *

/Parties represent 2.3 billion people /

*Geneva** -* The World Health Organization Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) enters into force on Sunday 27 February 2005.
This represents an historical moment in public health, as the Treaty
gives countries more tools to control tobacco use and save lives. On the
27^th , the provisions of the Treaty will be legally binding for the
first 40 countries that became Contracting Parties before 30 November 2004.

Tobacco is the second leading cause of death globally, causing nearly
five million deaths a year. Estimates show that it will prematurely kill
ten million people a year by 2020 if current trends are not reversed.
Tobacco is the only legal product that causes the death of half of its
regular users. This means that out of 1.3 billion smokers, 650 million
people will die prematurely.

Seventeen additional countries have become Party to the treaty since 29
November. For these, and every country which becomes Party from now on,
the Treaty becomes legally binding 90 days after their date of deposit
of the instrument of ratification or equivalent at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York.

"Already 57 countries have become Party to the WHO FCTC, representing
2.3 billion people. Its entry into force is a demonstration of
governments' commitment to reduce death and illness from tobacco use,"
said Dr LEE Jong-wook, WHO Director-General. "I encourage all countries
to become Party to this Treaty, and to implement the range of measures
which will make tobacco use less and less attractive to people. This can
result in millions of lives saved, and that is where the real success of
this Treaty resides," he added.

Now, with the entry into force, countries Party to the WHO FCTC are
bound to translate its general provisions into national laws and
regulations. These countries, for example, will have three years from
the day it enters into force for that country to implement measures to
ensure that tobacco packaging has strong health warnings, or five years
to establish comprehensive tobacco advertising, promotion and
sponsorship bans, among others.

"Many countries have already put these measures in place," said Dr Vera
Luiza da Costa e Silva, Director of the Tobacco Free Initiative at the
WHO. "The difference for global tobacco control is that countries Party
to the Convention will be able to implement these and other measures,
especially those with cross-border implications, in a coordinated and
standardized way. This will leave fewer loopholes for the tobacco
industry, which currently finds ways to circumvent national laws."

Evidence shows that smoking harms nearly every organ of the body.
Tobacco use is the cause of the majority of lung cancer cases and it has
been linked to many other types of cancer, such as cervical and kidney
cancer. Other health risks associated with tobacco include heart
attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases; bronchitis, asthma
and other respiratory diseases as well as infertility. Tobacco use
continues to expand, especially in the developing world, where currently
half of the deaths due to tobacco occur. If current trends continue,
seven out of every ten deaths due to tobacco will occur in the
developing world by 2020.

*Notes to editors:*
The WHO FCTC was unanimously adopted by the 56^th World Health Assembly
in May 2003.
The WHO FCTC closed for signature on 29 June 2004 with 168 signatories
(including the European Community). The first 40 Contracting Parties to
the WHO FCTC were 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, Qatar, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon
Islands, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago
and Uruguay.

Since 30 November 2004, the following have also deposited the instrument
of ratification or equivalent: Botswana, Denmark, Finland, Germany,
Honduras, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Netherlands,
Peru, Senegal, Spain, Timor-Leste, Turkey, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.

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 among others.

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.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) will be the governing body of the
Convention that will decide on technical, procedural and financial
matters relating to the implementation of the Treaty. Countries that
deposit the instrument of ratification or equivalent before November
2005 will be voting Contracting Parties during the first COP, which is
scheduled to take place in February 2006.

For current status and full text of the WHO FCTC, please visit:
www.who.int/tobacco/areas/framework/signing_ceremony/countrylist/en/
<http://www.who.int/tobacco/areas/framework/signing_ceremony/countrylist/en=
/>

More information on www.who.int/tobacco <http://www.who.int/tobacco>
Health risks associated to tobacco:
http://www.who.int/tobacco/resources/publications/en/smokersbody_en_fr.pdf

For further information, please contact Marta Seoane, Communications
Officer, Tobacco Free Initiative, WHO Geneva, Tel: +41 22 791 2489,
mobile +41 79 475 5551, email: seoanem@who.int <mailto:seoanem@who.int>.
All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as well as other
information on this subject can be obtained on Internet on the WHO home
page: http://www.who.int/.


-----------------


*FOR CONTACT INFORMATION: *

*LAURENT HUBER*//

*PHONE # +1 202 223 83 08, +1 202 659 43 10, +1 202 352 32 84*

* *

*IN GENEVA: *

*PASCAL DIETHELM + 41 79 507 98 02*


    *Global Tobacco Treaty to Take Effect on February 27^th *


    *International Coalition of NGOs Applauds the 57 Countries that have
    Ratified the WHO FCTC*


    * *

FEBRUARY 24 =E2=80=93 On February 27, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobac=
co
Control (FCTC), the international tobacco treaty negotiated under the
auspices of the World Health Organization, will become international
law. The FCA applauds the more than 55 countries that have taken a major
step forward against the tobacco epidemic, the second major cause of
death in the world by ratifying this important treaty. =E2=80=9CThe treaty =
is a
major step forward in the worldwide battle against the death and disease
caused by tobacco. It provides the basic tools for countries to enact
comprehensive tobacco control legislation and take on the powerful
tobacco industry,=E2=80=9D said Mary Asunta, Chair of the FCA.

The FCA urges countries that have not ratified the treaty to do so as
soon as possible. Ratification and implementation of the treaty are
critical to protecting citizens of the world from the devastating health
and economic impacts of tobacco.

The entry into force of the FCTC marks a historic moment for global
public health. This groundbreaking, legally binding treaty provides
countries basic tools to protect the health of their citizens from the
tobacco industry=E2=80=99s deceptions and slick marketing. It requires rati=
fying
nations to adopt policies proven to reduce smoking and save lives such
as a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and
sponsorship, and large, graphic 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 protection from secondhand smoke, increased tobacco
taxation and measures to combat cigarette smuggling.

This first international public health treaty would not have been
achievable without the involvement of civil society. The FCA, an
international coalition of Non Governmental organizations in favor a
strong and efficient FCTC, is proud of the work done by its more than
200 organizations from around the world in support of this important
international health treaty. For a list of members visit the FCA website
http://www.fctc.org/ .

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco-related illnesses
kill an estimated 4.9 million people per year worldwide. Unless trends
are reversed, the worldwide toll is expected to double in a generation,
with 70 percent of those deaths occurring in developing countries.

Once the FCTC comes into force, parties will meet periodically to
monitor enforcement, exchange experiences and ideas, and negotiate
protocols. Likely protocols include smuggling and cross-border advertising.

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. * *

Now that the FCTC will enter into force, it is crucial that governments
maintain the momentum and implement efficient and life saving tobacco
control legislation. Weak interpretation and poor implementation of the
FCTC=E2=80=99s provisions will not promote public health or save lives.
Countries should aim for tight, maximum protection for the public rather
than settle for the bare minimum.

-------------------


FCTC ENTRY INTO FORCE
STATEMENT OF MARY ASUNTA
FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ALLIANCE CHAIR


*Operationalize the FCTC nationally*

Civil society has fought hard and long for this historic day when the
WHO FCTC becomes international law. The Framework Convention Alliance is
pleased that the countdown to implement stringent tobacco control
measures outlined in the treaty is on.

The FCA celebrates this entry into force with the governments who have
ratified the treaty and have prevailed against the lobby from the
tobacco industry, particularly the transnational tobacco companies, who
sought to derail it.

The biggest beneficiaries of the FCTC are the many low income and
developing countries from the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America
who form the bulk of the 57 nations who ratified the treaty. They seized
the opportunity to ratify early and are now positioned to address the
tobacco pandemic confronting them.

The FCA urges governments who have signed but not ratified the treaty to
do so urgently so that they are not left behind. The days of talking are
over. It is time for action and to apply political will to
operationalize the treaty nationally.

This international law is a powerful tool to dismiss dubious
self-regulation and guidelines of the transnational tobacco companies
which for many years served to facilitate double standards in many
countries. However the FCA warns governments that the devil is in the
details.

Governments should elect to see this international law as the minimum
standards. This means pass legislations comprehensively banning all
forms of advertising and sponsorship activities by tobacco companies,
applying graphic and specific health warnings on 50% of packs and
banning smoking in all public and work places. This has to be done
without delay the passing of legislation and without any compromise with
the tobacco industry.

A new sense of vigilance is required as the tobacco industry has been
reinventing itself through corporate social responsibility, making
donations to the Tsunami disaster, converting its mass advertising to
interpersonal communications and communicating via new electronic
technologies.

The FCA is ready to assist governments and provide information on the
treaty. For further information contact the FCA at FCA@globalink.org
<mailto:FCA@globalink.org>

Phone + 1 202 352 32 84

+ 1 202 659 43 10


-----------------


*Corporate Accountability International's Press Release*

For Immediate Release: Contacts: Kathryn Mulvey

24 February 2005 Mobile phones in Geneva:

+41.76.547.3476 / +1.617.306.0920

Patti Lynn +1.617.695.2525

David Lerner/Riptide Communications

+1.212.260.5000

* *

_*FIRST **Global** PUBLIC HEALTH TREATY TO TAKE EFFECT*_

*_Despite Years of Intense Industry Lobbying,_*

*_Tobacco Treaty Becomes International Law Sunday, 27 February _*

**

_*//*_

_*/Once Again Out of Step with International /**/Community/**/,
/**/US/**/ Has Not Ratified Landmark Agreement/*_

*GENEVA*=E2=80=94Only 11 days after the Kyoto Protocol=E2=80=99s entry into=
 force, the
groundbreaking global tobacco treaty known as the Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will take effect on 27 February 2005. The
treaty will change the way giant tobacco corporations operate around the
world and set an international precedent for prioritizing public health
over commercial interests. As the global community takes significant
steps to protect people=E2=80=99s lives, public interest organizations are
urging countries that have not yet ratified, including the US, to do so.
To date, fifty-seven countries have ratified the global tobacco treaty.
Many more ratifications are expected in coming months.

=E2=80=9CThis treaty will save millions of lives,=E2=80=9D says Kathryn Mul=
vey,
Executive Director of Corporate Accountability International (formerly
Infact). =E2=80=9CIt demonstrates that working together, the nations of the
world can protect people from irresponsible and dangerous corporate
practices. Attempts by Philip Morris/Altria, British American Tobacco
(BAT) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) to prevent an effective
treaty from entering into force have proved futile,=E2=80=9D she adds.

While the Bush Administration signed the FCTC in May 2004, the US is
notably absent from the list of countries that have ratified the treaty.
Throughout the FCTC negotiating process, the US government consistently
took positions that would dilute the treaty at the expense of people=E2=80=
=99s
lives around the world. The US has a long history of signing but not
ratifying international humanitarian agreements, such as the Convention
on the Rights of the Child.

=E2=80=9CFebruary 2005 is a landmark month for international cooperation on
critical issues of protecting people and our natural resources, and the
US is missing the boat. As both the global tobacco treaty and the Kyoto
Protocol take effect with the US on the sidelines, we are calling on our
government to join with the global community in prioritizing people=E2=80=
=99s
lives over the profits of giant corporations,=E2=80=9D says Mulvey.*/ /**/ =
/*

*/ /*

Throughout the negotiations, countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, the
Middle East, and the Pacific and Caribbean Islands united to make the
treaty a reality. The FCTC, initiated by the World Health Organization,
bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and protects public
health policy from tobacco industry interference. It also sets
precedents for international regulation of other industries that
threaten health, the environment and human rights.

=E2=80=9CThis is a historic moment in the movement challenging irresponsibl=
e and
dangerous corporate actions around the world. Now that this global
treaty has become international law, it is no longer business as usual
for Big Tobacco. With millions of lives at stake, we urge countries that
have not yet ratified to do so without delay, particularly those that
took the lead during treaty negotiations,=E2=80=9D says Akinbode Oluwafemi =
of
Environmental Rights Action, Nigeria.

Throughout the treaty process, the Network for Accountability of Tobacco
Transnationals (NATT) and other NGOs encouraged, prodded and pressured
countries to stand firm in the face of Big Tobacco=E2=80=99s enormous polit=
ical
and economic clout. Relying on organizing techniques including
International Weeks of Resistance to Tobacco Transnationals, Marlboro
Man Awards, and the release of a number of reports, NATT has played a
key role in exposing and challenging the attempts of giant tobacco
corporations and their political allies in wealthy countries to derail
the FCTC. As the treaty takes effect, NATT will continue to watchdog the
tobacco industry=E2=80=99s interference and support countries in ratifying =
and
implementing the treaty.

Tobacco corporations like Philip Morris/Altria, BAT and JTI continue to
use dirty tricks to try to derail the treaty. The Consumer Information
Network, a NATT member in Kenya, recently helped expose BAT=E2=80=99s
sponsorship of a beach holiday for members of Parliament. BAT lobbied
the parliamentarians to water down key provisions of the Tobacco Control
Bill currently under consideration in Kenya, which has ratified the
FCTC. Countries like Kenya and must be vigilant in protecting their
health policies from tobacco industry interference, in accordance with
the treaty=E2=80=99s obligations.

The 57 countries that have ratified the FCTC are: Armenia, Australia,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands,
Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Hungary,
Iceland, India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania,
Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan,
Palau, Panama, Peru, Qatar, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore,
Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand,
Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Uruguay
and Viet Nam.

*=E2=80=9430=E2=80=94*

/Corporate Accountability International, formerly //Infact//, is a
membership organization that protects people by waging and winning
campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions
around the world. For over 25 years, we=E2=80=99ve forced corporations=E2=
=80=94like
Nestl=C3=A9, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria=E2=80=94to stop abus=
ive
actions. Corporate Accountability International,// an NGO in Official
Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played a key role in
development of the FCTC. The Network for Accountability of Tobacco
Transnationals (NATT) includes more than 100 NGOs from over 50 countries
working for a strong, enforceable Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control. //For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org
<BLOCKED::http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/>./