Global tobacco control: U.S. must prove its mettle

American leadership is important to the future of a landmark international health treaty.

Editorial. June 28, 2004.

On May 10, an important international health event took place at the United Nations in New York. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson added his signature to the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, making the United States the 108th nation to sign on to this landmark treaty, the first-ever global health agreement negotiated by the World Health Organization. Forty countries now must ratify it before it can be used as a basis for advancing international public health.

For the United States to be counted among this number, two things must happen. First, the Bush administration must send the signed treaty to the Senate. Second, the Senate must approve it by a two-thirds majority.

The American Medical Association has long urged such action. By stepping forward in this manner, the United States can prove its mettle regarding global tobacco control and continue to be an international leader in this effort.

Specifically, the treaty requires ratifying nations to eliminate all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, with a narrow exception for nations such as the United States that have constitutional constraints on a complete ban. It requires warning labels to occupy at least 30% of the front and back of every pack of cigarettes and prohibits tobacco product descriptors, such as light and mild.

It also commits nations to protect nonsmokers from tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, urges the strict regulation of tobacco product contents, and calls for higher tobacco taxes and global coordination to fight tobacco smuggling. The treaty also promotes tobacco prevention, cessation and research programs.