Cigarette makers argue global treaty to curb smoking

GENEVA, OCT 12: Multinational cigarette producers and anti-tobacco campaigners began arguing their cases here Thursday on a proposed globa...

GENEVA, OCT 12: Multinational cigarette producers and anti-tobacco campaigners began arguing their cases here Thursday on a proposed global treaty to curb smoking. Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the 177 participants each have five minutes to argue their case during two days of hearings.

Medical associations, workers’ and tobacco growers’ groups and health campaigners are taking part. The hearings come ahead of the start of formal negotiations on Monday by the 191 member states of the UN health agency on drawing up a treaty.

The proposed Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which WHO hopes will be ready by 2003, could include a ban on tobacco advertising, raising taxes and campaigns to deter youngsters from taking up the habit.

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British American Tobacco, along with Japan Tobacco and Philip Morris are among the tobacco companies making oral presentations here. In a written submission, BAT warned the proposed pact was "fundamentally flawed and will not achieve its objectives".

But the WHO warns that if nothing is done some 10 million people will die annually by 2030 from tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco currently kills four million people a year, the organisation says.

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