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FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL
Summary: Tobacco use is considered a global epidemic by all of the member
countries of the World Health Organization. Nearly 5 million people die from
tobacco-related diseases every year, and if this trend continues, by the year
2030 roughly two times this number are projected to perish annually from such
illnesses. In response to this crisis, countries all over the world have pledged
their support for the United Nations Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),
which went into effect on February 28, 2005. That day, the treaty made history
by becoming the first legally-binding international public health agreement. It
is a huge victory for the World Health Organization, the UN’s health agency, and
for all people who care about the general health of the human race.
Key Terms: The treaty addresses concerns ranging
from tobacco advertising to protecting non-smokers from exposure to tobacco
smoke in public places. Major provisions of the treaty include:
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A ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
The ban also applies to cross-border advertising originating in a member
country.
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Large health warning labels on the packaging of tobacco
products. Participating countries must require that health warning labels
cover at least 30% of the main display areas of tobacco packaging. Use of
misleading language, such as the terms “light” and “low tar,” is also
prohibited.
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Tax and price increases on tobacco products. The duty-free
sale of cigarettes and other tobacco-bearing goods is strongly discouraged.
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Official disclosure of the contents of tobacco products.
Tobacco manufacturers in participating countries must disclose the contents of
their products to their governments.
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Protection of non-smokers from second hand smoke. Countries
are obliged to protect non-smokers from exposure to tobacco smoke in public
places, including areas of public transportation and workplaces.
Status of US Compliance: The United States signed the
FCTC on May 10, 2004, becoming the 108th nation to do so. The
signature is only the first step in bringing the U.S. into the treaty, however.
As with any international treaty, the Senate must ratify the contract before it
binds the country into active participation. So far, the Senate has not ratified
the treaty. On November 8, 2005 the U.S. missed the deadline for
ratification.
Conclusion: The science is conclusive; tobacco kills.
While a number of American organizations have stepped up their anti-smoking
advertisement campaigns, the United States government has not sufficiently done
its part to discourage tobacco use nation-wide. In failing to ratify the
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a treaty it signed over one year ago,
the U.S. government is portraying itself as inconsiderate of basic human health
and ignorant of the scientific consensus on the carcinogenic nature of tobacco.
By ratifying the UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the U.S. can
demonstrate to the global community that it cares about the general health of
its citizens, and people around the world.
For More Information:
WHO Tobacco Free Initiative
Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control
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