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Global Appeal to U.S. Delegation to the FCTC In January 2003, Essential Action asked tobacco control organizations around the world, what message they would like to send to the U.S. delegation to the FCTC. Below is a compilation of their responses. If
the US hinders the FCTC, it will be responsible for tobacco's global death
toll. We
would try to impress upon the U.S. delegation that we prefer health to
tobacco. If
cocaine were legal in Chile, would you support a ban on advertising it? The
message to US Delegation is clear: They must not allow their own tobacco
companies to advertise tobacco so ruthlessly and shamelessly and unethically,
in developing countries. The practices, which tobacco companies cannot
indulge in their own country, should not be allowed to happen across their
borders. Without a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, it is just
not possible to address the growing menace of tobacco in developing countries.
US
delegation should join the majority of the nations to strengthen FCTC
recommendations. The
US is looked upon by many as a benchmark for various issues. It has had
a large influence on all other countries and its Western lifestyle is
emulated by many. It is the responsibility of the US Delegation to serve
as role model in Tobacco Control ,thereby saving future generations from
degenerating due to tobacco abuse. They should support the advertising
ban and set an example for all others to follow. Money
is not as important as people lives. People
around the world, especially in Mongolia, like Americans. They think American
people are very nice and that the USA is a leading country in the world.
They want to act like Americans, study in America, learn from Americans.
We would like to keep this positive view of the USA. U.S.
should know it influences the whole world. We use American examples here
in our advocacy. Please do something positive and forget selfishness,
so that you can be the world leader in truth. Indeed, the world is watching
and waiting. As
a leader in world affairs, the US should also be a leader in global tobacco
control. This will further improve US position in world politics. Protecting
your own nation is not enough, protect others as well. The
US Delegation to the FCTC should understand that their reluctance to regulate
this product should be equal to their unwillingness to support terrorism.
Tobacco kills more people than the September 11 attack ever did and will
continue to do so. It's time the US lived up to the real meaning of the
Statue of Liberty, bowed down to the voice of the 3rd world countries,
and started being a true leader, not just a leader led by money. The
US is being unfair to the rest of the world, while they have progressive
tobacco controls that protect their citizens, they are bent on denying
the rest of the world such protection. With the poor record of the US
ratifying conventions it is unlikely they will ratify the FCTC. The US
should refrain from weakening the treaty. Studies
have shown that children and teenagers are more susceptible to tobacco
advertisements than adults. Comprehensive advertising and promotion bans
are in place in some countries and have proven to be an effective way
to stop the spread of tobacco addiction. The US must therefore support
a total ban of advertising and promotion of tobacco for the sake of our
children -- our future. |