First countries to sign new Tobacco Control Treaty
11 June 2003 - History was made on 21 May 2003 when the first ever treaty entirely devoted to health, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), was adopted by almost all the countries in the world (all 192 World Health Organization Member States).
Negotiated under the auspices of WHO, the pioneering Convention aims to protect health and save the lives of billions in present and future generations. This will be achieved through tobacco advertising bans, larger health warning labels on tobacco products, measures to protect against secondhand smoke, tobacco tax and price increases and efforts to eliminate illicit trade. The FCTC is the first international, legal instrument designed to counter the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.
The FCTC opens for the first signatures of countries next week in Geneva. As soon as 40 countries ratify the Convention, it becomes law for those countries and thereafter for other countries that ratify it. The Convention is also open to signature and ratification by regional economic integration organizations, such as the European Community.
The urgency to sign and ratify the FCTC needs no further explanation: nearly five million people die every year as a result of tobacco use. A steep rise in deaths—particularly in developing countries—is the grim forecast for the near future, unless strong, concerted action is taken worldwide.
WHAT: Signing ceremony of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and press conference
WHO: Signing ceremony: High level officials from developing and developed countries as well as regional economic integration organizations. As of today, Brazil, the European Community, Finland, France, Malta, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, South Africa and Thailand have expressed interest in signing the Convention at the ceremony. (Further details will be available at the end of the week.)
Press conference: Selected country officials and Dr Derek Yach, Executive Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO.
WHEN: Signing ceremony: Monday, 16 June 2003; 10:00 -11:30 Press conference: Monday,16 June; 12:30
WHERE: World Health Organization headquarters
20 avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Signing ceremony: Executive Board Room (-2 level), WHO Main building Press conference: Library Meeting Room (-1 level), WHO Main building
IN ADDITION: A press briefing will take place on Friday, 13 June 2003 at 11:30 in Press Room III, Door 6, Palais des Nations (United Nations building), 8-14, Avenue de la Paix, Geneva. The speakers will be Dr Derek Yach, Executive Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO and Dr Vera da Costa e Silva, Programme Manager, Tobacco Free Initiative, WHO. At this briefing, new WHO guidelines for national tobacco control legislation will be released.
For more information, journalists may contact: Melinda Henry, Information Officer, Director-General's Office, WHO, Geneva; Tel.: +41 22 791 2535: Fax: +41 22 791 4881; E-mail: henrym@who.int
***Journalists are requested to please contact Melinda Henry in advance if they plan to attend the signing ceremony and press conference. They are also advised to allow some time for obtaining a visitor's photo identification badge upon arrival at the reception of the main building at WHO.
More information about WHO's tobacco control activities, including the FCTC.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is available in six languages.