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WHO chief endorses diluted antitobacco text
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WHO chief endorses diluted antitobacco text
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
Critics concerned that the revised draft of WHO’s tobacco treaty is feeble and meaningless would be more effective than a “strong text” which was inacceptable to key countries, he argued. “The task of the negotiations is to bridge the gap between what is desirable and what is possible”, he told journalists, stressing that countries that wanted to introduce sweeping restrictions could do so. Despite her impassioned appeals at the October meeting for an outright advertising ban as part of a convention with real teeth, WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland gave her unqualified support to the watered-down proposals.
The draft text commits each signatory to take measures to “restrict tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship in accordance with its national constitution”. “Such measures may include a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship”, it states. It deletes earlier provisions to phase out all cross-border advertising, stating that countries could take such action if they wish. It introduces a new requirement for health warnings to take up at least 30% of a cigarette packet, Treaty stops short of advertising ban stipulating that labelling should not be misleading or disputes, de Seixas Correa create “the false impression decided to delete all reference that a particular tobacco to trade, saying it was too product is less harmful than complicated. other tobacco products”. “At the last round of talks, “These may include the vast majority of countries low-tar, light, ultra-light, or wanted to see health mild”, it says—but steps back prioritised over trade”, from an explicit ban on such complained Kathryn Mulvey, terms contained in the executive director of the US previous text. campaign group Infact. The text is cautious on “The new text in no way litigation, stating that reflects the momentum toward governments should “consider a stronger treaty at the last taking legislative action and round of talks. It’s almost making use of or promoting meaningless—basically a set of their existing laws to deal with suggestions essentially liability and compensation for deferring action”, she said. the purpose of tobacco “Philip Morris will be control”. performing cartwheels at the After prolonged debate on advertising provisions”, she whether health or free trade said drily. considerations should be given Clare Kapp priority in international legal AP
HO issued a revised draft of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on Jan 15 amid considerable surprise and dismay at the dilution of key provisions. As expected, the text stops short of an outright ban on advertising because of constitutional concerns of the USA. But it also drops earlier language requiring the phasing out of sponsorship of sports and cultural events—widely regarded as a ploy by tobacco companies to hook young smokers—and of vending machine sales. The text, which contains new provisions on packaging and smuggling and introduces the concept of manufacturer liability, will be discussed at a final round of negotiations on Feb 17–28 before scheduled adoption by the World Health Assembly in May. Antitobacco campaigners slammed the proposals for appeasing the USA, Japan, and Germany—the main opponents to a tough FCTC—rather than reflecting the views of the majority of countries, which pressed for strong language at the last round of talks in October. ASH UK said the new text was a “feeble response to the world’s worst public health problem”. But negotiating chairman Luiz Felipe de Seixas Correa said he hoped that his gradual approach would persuade the maximum number of countries to sign up. This
W
“The task of the negotiations is to bridge the gap between what is desirable and what is possible” “I fully endorse the revised chairman’s text”, she declared—causing bewilderment among proponents of tough controls. “I believe that member states should consider this as the final draft on the basis of which they will be able to conclude the negotiations”, she continued. “The framework convention will be an important tool in the fight against cancers, heart disease, and emphysema”, she said, adding that it should be strengthened by additional protocols on, for instance, illicit trade and advertising.
THE LANCET • Vol 361 • January 25, 2003 • www.thelancet.com
315
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet Publishing Group.
Serbia and Montenegro’s state services behind rest of Europe Hong Kong’s health policies focus on containing avian flu Uganda agrees to raise health spending using Global Fund grant Carbon monoxide: a new weapon against stenosis? AstraZeneca defends cancer drug linked to deaths in Japan News in brief Leaked public service report embarrasses UK government
WHO chief endorses diluted antitobacco text
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
Critics concerned that the revised draft of WHO’s tobacco treaty is feeble and meaningless would be more effective than a “strong text” which was inacceptable to key countries, he argued. “The task of the negotiations is to bridge the gap between what is desirable and what is possible”, he told journalists, stressing that countries that wanted to introduce sweeping restrictions could do so. Despite her impassioned appeals at the October meeting for an outright advertising ban as part of a convention with real teeth, WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland gave her unqualified support to the watered-down proposals.
The draft text commits each signatory to take measures to “restrict tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship in accordance with its national constitution”. “Such measures may include a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship”, it states. It deletes earlier provisions to phase out all cross-border advertising, stating that countries could take such action if they wish. It introduces a new requirement for health warnings to take up at least 30% of a cigarette packet, Treaty stops short of advertising ban stipulating that labelling should not be misleading or disputes, de Seixas Correa create “the false impression decided to delete all reference that a particular tobacco to trade, saying it was too product is less harmful than complicated. other tobacco products”. “At the last round of talks, “These may include the vast majority of countries low-tar, light, ultra-light, or wanted to see health mild”, it says—but steps back prioritised over trade”, from an explicit ban on such complained Kathryn Mulvey, terms contained in the executive director of the US previous text. campaign group Infact. The text is cautious on “The new text in no way litigation, stating that reflects the momentum toward governments should “consider a stronger treaty at the last taking legislative action and round of talks. It’s almost making use of or promoting meaningless—basically a set of their existing laws to deal with suggestions essentially liability and compensation for deferring action”, she said. the purpose of tobacco “Philip Morris will be control”. performing cartwheels at the After prolonged debate on advertising provisions”, she whether health or free trade said drily. considerations should be given Clare Kapp priority in international legal AP
HO issued a revised draft of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on Jan 15 amid considerable surprise and dismay at the dilution of key provisions. As expected, the text stops short of an outright ban on advertising because of constitutional concerns of the USA. But it also drops earlier language requiring the phasing out of sponsorship of sports and cultural events—widely regarded as a ploy by tobacco companies to hook young smokers—and of vending machine sales. The text, which contains new provisions on packaging and smuggling and introduces the concept of manufacturer liability, will be discussed at a final round of negotiations on Feb 17–28 before scheduled adoption by the World Health Assembly in May. Antitobacco campaigners slammed the proposals for appeasing the USA, Japan, and Germany—the main opponents to a tough FCTC—rather than reflecting the views of the majority of countries, which pressed for strong language at the last round of talks in October. ASH UK said the new text was a “feeble response to the world’s worst public health problem”. But negotiating chairman Luiz Felipe de Seixas Correa said he hoped that his gradual approach would persuade the maximum number of countries to sign up. This
W
“The task of the negotiations is to bridge the gap between what is desirable and what is possible” “I fully endorse the revised chairman’s text”, she declared—causing bewilderment among proponents of tough controls. “I believe that member states should consider this as the final draft on the basis of which they will be able to conclude the negotiations”, she continued. “The framework convention will be an important tool in the fight against cancers, heart disease, and emphysema”, she said, adding that it should be strengthened by additional protocols on, for instance, illicit trade and advertising.
THE LANCET • Vol 361 • January 25, 2003 • www.thelancet.com
315
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet Publishing Group.