APHA Applauds 40 Nations That Have Ratified the International Tobacco Control Treaty, Urges U.S. Administration to Make Ratification a Top Priority

Washington, D.C., November 30, 2004 – “With Peru’s ratification today of the international tobacco control treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will become international law early next year. The American Public Health Association commends the 40 nations that have ratified the treaty, which cements a historic step in containing the global epidemic of tobacco use that kills more than 4 million people a year. In effect, this treaty gives countries the power to restrict tobacco advertising, combat cigarette smuggling and require health warning labels -- crucial measures in reducing the health threats of tobacco.

“Yet, the United States is noticeably absent from this important international action, which has even been ratified by countries that have major tobacco industries. While the United States has signed the treaty, the administration has yet to send the agreement to the U.S. Senate for ratification, rendering the signing meaningless. As it stands, this nation is not committed to the treaty’s goals of reducing global tobacco use.

“We cannot afford to move slowly on this issue. In the United States alone, tobacco use is the leading cause of death, killing more than 400,000 people each year and costing our nation a massive $75 billion in health care costs. Tobacco products are virtually unregulated and, every day, hundreds of children become smokers.

“The American Public Health Association urgently calls on the administration and Senate to follow the lead of other countries and work together to ratify the treaty and work for its full implementation to protect the health of all citizens from the scourge of tobacco.”