U.S. signs on to global tobacco control treaty

So far, 113 nations have signed the agreement, but ratification by 40 is needed to enact the document.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. June 14, 2004.

Washington -- Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson May 10 signed a landmark international treaty for tobacco control. Anti-smoking advocates hope this step will lead to meaningful actions to curb tobacco use throughout the world.

"The United States has long been a world leader in anti-smoking efforts," he said. "We have committed more resources than any other country to the research, development and evaluation of smoking control and cessation programs, both at home and abroad."

The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was approved unanimously last year by the members of the World Health Assembly, including the United States, after three years of negotiations. It is the first global agreement to try to reduce the rising toll of tobacco-related illnesses in the world.

The AMA applauded Thompson's signing of the FCTC. "Tobacco now kills some five million people each year," said AMA Trustee Ron M. Davis, MD. "Without this new international treaty, that number could climb to 10 million deaths a year, with 70% of these new tobacco deaths occurring in the developing world."

The treaty must now be ratified by the Senate to gain full U.S. backing.

"Signing the treaty is good public relations; ratifying it will be good public health," said John Kirkwood, president and CEO of the American Lung Assn. "Merely signing it without Senate ratification is a hollow victory."

So far, 113 nations have endorsed the document, which has a June 29 deadline for signatures, and 14 nations have ratified it. It must be ratified by 40 countries before it can take effect, but this hurdle has no deadline.