World’s First Public Health Treaty To Take Effect: Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control Set to Become International Law Despite
Years of Intense Lobbying by Tobacco Giants

Corporate Accountability International (formerly Infact) Applauds
Countries That Stood Up to Tobacco Industry; Urges US to Reverse
Direction and Ratify

Quickly

BOSTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ — The Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC), the world’s first public health and corporate
accountability treaty, has been ratified by 40 countries and is now
set to take effect. According to its implementing provisions, the
treaty becomes binding international law after the 40th country
ratifies. The landmark was reached when Peru ratified the treaty
today.

“This is a tremendous victory for corporate accountability and public
health that will undoubtedly save millions of lives,” says Kathryn
Mulvey, Executive Director of the US-based Corporate Accountability
International. “This treaty demonstrates that working together, the
nations of the world and their NGO allies can limit the influence of
giant corporations. Attempts by Philip Morris/Altria and the rest of
the tobacco industry to prevent an effective treaty from entering into
force have proved futile.”

In May 2004, the US government signed the FCTC, a move that was met
with skepticism. Throughout the FCTC negotiating process, the US
government consistently took positions to weaken the treaty at the
expense of people’s lives in the US and around the world. To date the
US has not ratified the FCTC, not surprising treaty advocates who
point out that the US has signed but not ratified the following
treaties: the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on
Biological Diversity, the Kyoto Protocol, the International Criminal
Court, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women.

“At this historic moment, Corporate Accountability International is
calling on the US government to reverse direction and ratify the
global tobacco treaty,” says Mulvey. Senator Richard Lugar (IN) is
Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, the only Congressional
committee with the responsibility to review treaties.

The FCTC bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and
protects public health policy from tobacco industry interference. It
also sets precedents for international regulation of other industries
that threaten health, the environment and human rights.

Corporate Accountability International and other members of the
Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) continue
to urge governments to keep the tobacco industry out of the ongoing
FCTC ratification process and the treaty’s subsequent implementation,
to ensure participation of NGOs, and to provide full funding of the
FCTC. Earlier this month, the Consumer Information Network, a NATT
member in Kenya, helped expose British America Tobacco’s (BAT)
sponsorship of a beach holiday for members of Parliament. BAT lobbied
the parliamentarians to oppose the Tobacco Control Bill currently
under consideration in Kenya, which has ratified the FCTC.

“This is a historic moment in the movement challenging irresponsible
and dangerous corporate actions around the world. Now that this global
treaty has become international law, it is no longer business as usual
for Big Tobacco. With millions of lives at stake, we urge countries
that have not yet ratified to do so without delay, particularly those
that took the lead during treaty negotiations,” says Akinbode
Oluwafemi of Environmental Rights Action, Nigeria.

Since FCTC negotiations began, global tobacco corporations have
attempted to water down and delay the treaty from the beginning of the
process. According to Philip Morris/Altria’s internal documents, the
tobacco giant received advice from the notorious public relations firm
Mongoven, Biscoe and Duchin that “a comprehensive strategy to
influence the … UN/WHO policies would be enhanced significantly by
establishing an NGO … ” Documents show Philip Morris/Altria
profiled regions to determine those countries that would support the
Convention, and also be susceptible to industry influence. Philip
Morris/Altria also opposed central provisions of the treaty, including
the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

The 40 countries that ratified the FCTC are: Armenia, Australia,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji,
France, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya,
Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Peru, Qatar, San
Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. More ratifications are
expected to follow in the next few weeks.

Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a
membership organization that protects people by waging and winning
campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions
around the world. Through bold campaigns and a commitment to win,
Corporate Accountability International and its members have scored
major victories that protect people and save lives. For over 25
years, we’ve forced corporations-like Nestli, General Electric and
Philip Morris/Altria-to stop abusive actions. For more information
visit

Contacts:

Adrian Zupp/Corporate Accountability International

617-695-2525

David Lerner/Riptide Communications

212-260-5000

SOURCE Corporate Accountability International

CO: Corporate Accountability International

ST: Massachusetts

SU:

Web site:

11/30/2004 12:51 EST