|
|
| Search | Site Map |
 |
|
Global Tobacco Treaty Opens for Signature at UN in New York Forty Countries Have Already Signed, Infact Urges US to Ratify Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Quickly FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACTS: BOSTON--The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first public health treaty, opens for signature at the United Nations in New York today. Infact and other members of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) are applauding the commitment of the 40 countries that already signed the treaty at World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva earlier this month, and urging the US to ratify the groundbreaking treaty quickly. The WHO-initiated treaty bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship with exceptions only for constitutional reasons, and protects public health policy from tobacco industry interference. The FCTC, which sets precedents for international regulation of other industries that threaten health, the environment and human rights, enters into force and becomes international law after 40 countries ratify it. The treaty will remain open for signature until June 29, 2004. Hopes are not high that the US will sign and ratify the FCTC, according to Kathryn Mulvey, Executive Director of Infact, a US-based corporate accountability organization. "Philip Morris/Altria, the world's largest and most profitable tobacco corporation, is a leading contributor to the Republican Party and President Bush is just kicking off a drive to raise close to a quarter of a billion dollars to finance his re-election campaign," says Mulvey. "However, at least 13 million people have died from tobacco-related illnesses since the first FCTC negotiating session in October 2000. The US, as home to Philip Morris/Altria, has a particular responsibility to sign and ratify this treaty." The FCTC is being hailed as a victory for people and public health over the profits of transnational corporations. Countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific and Caribbean Islands united to protect the health of their people from the tobacco industry's deadly expansion. The following countries have already signed the FCTC: Algeria, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, the Czech Republic, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Yemen. The European Community has also signed the treaty. Norway has become the first country to ratify the FCTC. Throughout the FCTC negotiations, NATT members encouraged, prodded and pressured countries to stand firm in the face of Big Tobacco's enormous political and economic clout. With International Weeks of Resistance to Tobacco Transnationals, Marlboro Man Awards, and the release of a number of reports, NATT has played a key role in exposing and challenging the attempts of Philip Morris/Altria, BAT and Japan Tobacco International to derail the FCTC. Infact and NATT also helped counter US attempts to water down the FCTC throughout the negotiating process. The Infact report Cowboy Diplomacy: How the US Undermines International Environmental, Human Rights, Disarmament and Health Agreements, had a major impact on the final round of FCTC negotiations. The report examines the US role in the following international agreements: the Kyoto Protocol, Persistent Organic Pollutants Treaty, Basel Convention, Biosafety Protocol, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention, and Landmine Ban Treaty. According to Cowboy Diplomacy, there is a clear pattern in recent history of the US negotiating down to the lowest common denominator, then failing to support environmental, human rights and other treaties. "Our government's record on this issue will be tarnished until the FCTC is ratified and implemented with the full support of whatever administration is in the White House. The world will be watching to see whether the US will move forward with this groundbreaking treaty. The good news is that with or without US participation, the global playing field is changing dramatically for Big Tobacco. And the countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific and Caribbean Islands are leading the way," concludes Mulvey. ### Since 1977, Infact has been exposing life-threatening abuses of transnational corporations and organizing successful grassroots campaigns to hold corporations accountable to consumers and society at large. Infact is an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). 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. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org.
|
|
