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Strong, Meaningful Text Emerging from Negotiations on Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Developing Countries Have Led Way to Treaty that Includes Ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACTS: GENEVA--The text emerging from negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a major step forward in the movement to reverse the global tobacco epidemic. With several vital issues still under discussion and final approval of the text by all countries pending, the current draft includes a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, while making exceptions for countries with constitutional constraints. Although developing countries have not achieved all the gains they were pushing for and certain provisions will need to be strengthened, members of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) consider this an important victory for global public health. "Aggressive promotional tactics like the Marlboro Man have driven the global profits of tobacco transnationals. When adopted and entered into force, this agreement will significantly reduce Philip Morris, BAT, and Japan Tobaccos ability to spread addiction, disease and death around the world. In the face of enormous pressure, developing countries have led the way toward meaningful, effective measures," says Kathryn Mulvey, Executive Director of Infact (US), a NATT member. One of the central issues of the FCTC is how it will interact with international trade and investment agreements. After long debate, countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Pacific Islands and Caribbean managed to turn back the forces that wish to subordinate the FCTC to other international agreements. Language included in the preamble gives priority to Parties' right to protect public health, giving interpretive guidance in case of a conflict between health measures and trade agreements. In another important step forward, the text includes measures that will limit the political influence of the tobacco industry. In the face of the economic and political clout of corporations like Philip Morris-with $73 billion in annual revenues-many countries consider these provisions critical to the implementation of the FCTC. The treaty is scheduled to be adopted in May by the World Health Assembly. NATT members are calling on all countries committed to public health to remain onguard as the FCTC process moves ahead. "The powerful forces that have attempted to obstruct this treaty all along will remain active through this next phase and beyond. In order to assure that the world's first public health treaty is adopted and entered into force, we all must remain vigilant to the ongoing dirty tricks of the tobacco industry and its powerful allies," concludes Mulvey. ### The Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes 75 NGOs from more than 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. NATT members at INB6 include: Center for Alternative Development Initiatives (Philippines), Consumers Association of Malawi, ConsumerVOICE (India), Environmental Rights Action (Nigeria), Infact (US), and Zambian Consumers Association.
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