ASH PR: U.S. Signs International Tobacco Control Treaty [05/11/04]

On behalf of the United States, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control at the United Nations yesterday.  The FCTC is the world’s first public health treaty, designed to stem the worldwide tobacco epidemic, which claims 5 million annually.  That number is expected to double within a generation unless action is taken.

While the Senate must also ratify the Convention before it becomes binding, signing obligates the U.S. government to avoid actions that would circumvent any of its provisions.  The FCTC includes provisions on secondhand smoke, advertising, marketing to children, smuggling, and warning labels, among others.

“The U.S., as the home of the world’s largest tobacco company, has an obligation to not only participate but lead global efforts to reduce the harms of tobacco use,” said Chris Bostic General Counsel of Action on Smoking & Health (ASH).  “I applaud the administration’s action in signing the treaty, and call on President Bush to submit it to the Senate for ratification immediately.”

The FCTC was unanimously adopted in May 2003 by the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization, under whose auspices the treaty was negotiated over a four-year period.  ASH played a pivotal role in the success of the negotiations, helping to lead a coalition of over 200 nongovernmental organizations from over 60 countries which pressed governments for strong provisions.

The treaty will become effective 3 months after the fortieth country ratifies.  At present, there are 108 signatories, of which 12 have ratified.

Chris A Bostic
General Counsel
Action on Smoking & Health
2013 H Street, NW
Washington, DC  20006
202-659-4310
http://ash.org