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Consumers Movement Adopts Strong Resolution in Support of Swift Implementation of Global Tobacco Treaty Infact and the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals Praise Statement Urging Consumer Organizations to Play Active Role in Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Process FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACTS: Lisbon, Portugal -- At the closing of the 17th Consumers International World Congress, member organizations adopted a resolution calling on consumer groups to support the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Corporate accountability and public health advocates praised the resolution, which will guide the policy of consumer organizations over the next three years. Backing from Consumers International, with 250 members in 115 countries, brings another level of support to the world's first public health treaty. The FCTC will save millions of lives and change the way the tobacco industry operates globally. More than seventy governments have signed the treaty, which enters into force and becomes international law after 40 countries sign and ratify it. "The consumers movement is a powerful player in questions of public policy across the globe. By calling for action on this issue, consumer organizations are helping build momentum toward the swift ratification and effective implementation of this groundbreaking treaty," says Muyunda Ililonga of Zambian Consumers Association, a member of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT). The resolution adopted by Consumers International members also called for the exclusion of the tobacco industry from public health policy formulation. As political battles around FCTC ratification shift to capitals across the globe, NATT members expect that Big Tobacco's attempts to derail the treaty's implementation will intensify. "Giant tobacco corporations like Philip Morris/Altria, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International are notorious for their attempts to undermine public health policy. Consumer organizations across the globe are now called upon to keep the tobacco industry away from the negotiating table as countries develop health policy, including the ratification and implementation of the FCTC," says Bejon Misra of ConsumerVOICE (India), also a NATT member. The FCTC, initiated by WHO, bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (such as Philip Morris/Altria's Marlboro Man) with exceptions only for constitutional reasons, 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. ### 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.infact.org or www.iwr2002.org.
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