Law
campaign
WHO
hails launch of global anti- smoking treaty
A
global treaty aimed at dissuading children from smoking
and helping adults kick |he habit came into force, with
the United Nations saying it could save millions of lives.
The
World Health Organisation (WHO) applauded the strong warnings
on cigarette packets and eventual ban on tobacco advertising
and sponsorship laid down in the world's nirst international
public health treaty.
"Its
entry into force is a demonstration of governments' commitment
to reduce death and illness from tobacco use," said
Lee Jong-wook, the WHO director-general.
Tobacco,
the second leading cause of preventable deaths globally
after hypertension, kills 4.9 million people a year, says
the UN agency. It fears that the annual toll could soar
to 10 million by 2020, with 70% of the deaths in developing
countries.
The
treaty, known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,
gives countries three years to slap strong warnings on
packets and five years to ban advertising, promotion and
sponsorship. It also calls for tax rises on tobacco products,
a crackdown on smuggling, and cutting exposure to second-hand
smoke.
Almost
170 countries have signed the treaty, but many have not
yet sent it to their parliaments for ratification. It
will carry legal weight only in those countries that have
ratified it - now numbering 57.
WHO
officials and ac|ivists say the powerful tobacco industry
is lobbying hard to restrict the number of countries applying
the treaty. Britain has ratified it, but the United States,
which has signed up, has yet to send it to the Senate.
Activists accuse the Bush administration of working hard
to dilute the pact.
"US
ratification would send a strong message to the rest of
the world that wm will ... put protection of public health
ahead of tobacco industry interests," said the US-based
Tobacco Free Kids lobby group.
Source:
The Guardian
