|
|
| Search | Site Map |
 |
|
GLOBAL TOBACCO TREATY SEEN AS MODEL FOR CURBING CORPORATE ABUSES AT WORLD SOCIAL FORUM IN BRAZIL As 100,000 Gather at Major International Event, Pressure Builds on Brazil to Ratify For Immediate Release: Contacts: Porto Alegre, BRAZIL--As tens of thousands of activists gather at the World Social Forum, the campaign to implement the global tobacco treaty continues to make significant progress. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first global health and corporate accountability treaty, will save millions of lives and change the way the tobacco industry operates globally. Through workshops, panels and broad visibility, thousands of participants in the World Social Forum will learn more about the tobacco treaty and the prospects for ratification by Brazil. A leading country on many issues of trade and globalization, Brazil has signed the tobacco treaty but not yet ratified. "Brazil has been a powerful voice in challenging the negative impacts of globalization on people in the Global South, but is lagging behind in action on the global tobacco treaty. Big Tobacco and its powerful industry allies, like the International Tobacco Growers Association, are working behind the scenes to derail Brazils' progress toward ratification," says Lucinda Wykle-Rosenberg of Corporate Accountability International. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the global tobacco treaty bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (such as Philip Morris/Altria's Marlboro Man) and protects public health policy from tobacco industry interference. The treaty sets precedents for international regulation of other industries that threaten health, the environment and human rights such as pharmaceuticals, oil and agribusiness. Having been ratified by more than 50 countries, including Peru, Mexico, and Panama, the treaty will take effect 27 February 2005. "Tobacco claims nearly 5 million lives every year. British American Tobacco and other tobacco giants have been working aggressively to expand their markets in many Latin American countries, with terrible consequences for both the health and economic well-being of our people. It is critical that Brazil ratify swiftly, so that we can move toward a healthier, safer future for our children. That is a strong message coming out of the World Social Forum," says Paula Johns of Zero Tobacco in Brazil. The treaty's entry into force next month will mark a major milestone for the movement challenging corporate globalization. Corporate Accountability International and other members of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) are campaigning around the world for the treaty's swift implementation. Through workshops, media activism, and broad outreach to participants, Corporate Accountability International and NATT are building awareness of and support for the global tobacco treaty at the World Social Forum. "The World Social Forum is predicated on the belief that another world is possible. The global tobacco treaty is one of the most important recent examples of a successful challenge to a powerful, deadly industry that profits at the expense of human health. Many countries of the Global South stood up to US cowboy diplomacy throughout the FCTC negotiating process. That kind of ongoing courage will be key to the treaty's successful implementation," says Yul Francisco Dorado of Consumers International Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, also a NATT member. # # # 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. Through bold campaigns and a commitment to win, Corporate Accountability International and its members have scored major victories that protect people and save lives. For over 25 years, we've forced corporations-like Nestlé, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria-to stop abusive actions. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org.
|
|
