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MOMENTUM BUILDS TOWARD STRONG IMPLEMENTATION OF GLOBAL TOBACCO TREATY Countries That Led Way Through Negotiating Process Join Together, Advance Principles to Strengthen Treaty For Immediate Release: Contacts: GENEVA--As countries debate central questions around implementation of the first global health treaty, momentum is building behind strong measures that will strengthen the treaty's effectiveness. The countries of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East were leaders throughout the negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), uniting to protect public health in the face of a powerful and dangerous industry. Those same regions are advancing positions in talks this week that will help ensure the treaty realizes its potential. These discussions are taking place at an intergovernmental meeting on mechanisms and institutions for the FCTC, which was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and will enter into force this month. "When implemented strongly, the global tobacco treaty will save millions of lives. Once again, the countries of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East are playing a lead role in protecting people from the deadly tobacco epidemic. We are very encouraged by the momentum, and urge countries not to allow allies of the tobacco industry to derail the process," says Kathryn Mulvey, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability International (formerly Infact). One of the main issues under discussion is the secretariat, the body that will support the parties to the treaty in ensuring strong enforcement. Corporate Accountability International and other members of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) are pushing for the secretariat to be structured and financed in a way that ensures it is accountable to the Conference of the Parties, the countries that have ratified who will enforce the treaty. Based on the debates this week, a majority of countries agree with this approach. Another encouraging aspect of this week's talks is the recognition of positive contributions by public interest NGOs to the FCTC, and overwhelming support that countries expressed for their ongoing participation. Equally important, many Member States stressed the necessity of keeping the tobacco industry out of the implementation and further development of the FCTC, with explicit references to provisions in the treaty itself designed to protect global health policy from industry interference. "This treaty will have a positive impact on people around the world, for generations to come. Public interest organizations have played a vital role in its development and are helping to bring the treaty to life. The resounding message from countries is that NGOs are essential to the treaty, but tobacco giants like Philip Morris/Altria, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International and their front groups must be kept outside the process entirely," says Yul Francisco Dorado of Consumers International Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, also a NATT member. While the actions of most Member States demonstrate steadfast commitment to the global tobacco treaty's purpose, questions remain about where the US stands. This week the US argued for an explicit reference to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the FCTC's rules of procedure. One of the most intense debates of the treaty negotiation process was around the relationship between this first global health treaty and trade agreements. The FCTC gives governments the right to prioritize health over trade and commercial interests. Discussions about how to insulate the FCTC from outside pressures by non-parties and the tobacco industry happen in the context of broader debates about neutralizing potential conflicts of interest at WHO on issues such as tobacco control and nutrition policy. Fifty-five countries have ratified the FCTC, and many more are expected to do so in coming months. The treaty bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and protects public health policy from tobacco industry interference. -30- 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've forced corporations--like Nestlé, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria--to stop abusive actions. Corporate Accountability International, an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played a key role in development of the FCTC. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org.
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