US Obstructs Tobacco Treaty Talks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Dueffert, 202/352-4223 (U.S. Mobile)

GENEVA (October 16, 2002) -- The United States delegation negotiating the
proposed tobacco treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(FCTC), today continued to take positions that protect the interests of the
tobacco industry rather than public health around the world. The delegation spoke out during the negotiations against a provision of the treaty that would
allow a ban on the advertising of tobacco in nations whose constitutions
allow one. The U.S. delegation said this provision in the treaty is a
"red line," and they will not sign or accept any treaty with an ad ban
provision, even if there are exemptions for countries with constitutional
constraints.

Ireland spoke for 24 countries, including the United Kingdom, Belgium,
Finland, Sweden, and France, in support of the inclusion in the treaty of
a provision banning all direct and indirect tobacco advertising, reserving
to those countries with constitutional limitations the right to enact lesser
restrictions. The World Bank also intervened in the negotiations, saying
a total ban is an essential component to reduce the harm of tobacco.

By opposing a tobacco ad ban with a reservation for those countries with
constitutional constraints, the U.S. has broken ranks with most of the
Western world's democracies. The U.S. should follow the strong American
principle -- the majority rules -- and not bow to the wishes of the tobacco
industry.

The evidence is strong that the most effective way to eliminate the
influence of tobacco marketing on young people is through comprehensive
restrictions. While there may be U.S. Constitutional issues involving
tobacco advertising bans, the U.S. should not prevent other nations from
adopting advertising bans in keeping with their own legal systems. The
delegation should stop opposing the inclusion of language in the treaty
calling for the elimination of tobacco advertising when this would have no
practical effect on the United States.

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