ABC News - Anti-tobacco meeting adopts new guidelines

Global meeting adopts new recommendations regarding influence of tobacco companies

An international meeting has set new guidelines aimed at preventing tobacco companies from trying to influence national and global health policy.

The 160 nations, which are party to the U.N.-sponsored Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted the recommendations after a weeklong meeting in South Africa.

The guidelines include that governments should reject partnerships with the tobacco industry, and limit interaction with the companies.

Saturday's recommendations are not binding, but they can serve as a basis for government policy.

Health activists welcomed them.

Corporate Accountability International, a pressure group, says the guidelines will help curtail tobacco industry tactics, and focus on implementing the treaty's lifesaving measures."

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