[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S6846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SUPPORT FOR FCTC

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to commend 
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson for his 
recent announcement that the United States' delegation to the World 
Health Assembly would support the Framework Convention on Tobacco 
Control, the world's first global tobacco treaty.
  As we know, tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the 
world today.
  According to the World Health Organization almost five million people 
die each year from tobacco related illnesses.
  As tobacco use continues to grow at alarming rates around the world, 
the death toll is expected to rise to 10 million people per year by 
2030, with 70 percent of these deaths occurring in developing 
countries.
  Clearly, we must give greater attention to the reality of the harmful 
effects of tobacco use.
  The United States has traditionally been a world leader in tobacco 
control efforts, often providing the science and expertise to 
demonstrate the harms of tobacco and the public health efforts needed 
to reduce tobacco use.
  As one who has long advocated for extensive tobacco control measures 
to stop the spread of tobacco use around the world, I was pleased when 
the United States joined other WHO member states in treaty 
negotiations.
  These negotiations have been on-going for nearly four years.
  As a result of that hard work, the final draft of the Framework 
Convention was overwhelmingly approved on March 1, 2003, by 171 WHO 
member states.
  The Framework Convention contains a wide range of provisions aimed at 
controlling tobacco marketing and consumption and identifies sound 
public health policies for countries to adopt or strengthen.
  These include two particularly strong requirements: No. 1, a 
comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, 
with an exception for nations with constitutional constraints; and No. 
2, the implementation of health warning labels covering at least 30 
percent, but ideally 50 percent or more, of the display area on tobacco 
product packaging.
  In addition, the FCTC calls upon countries to ban misleading language 
that gives the false impression that the product is less harmful than 
others, such as ``mild,'' ``light,'' or ``low tar''; significantly 
raise tobacco taxes; provide smoke-free public spaces and workplaces; 
consider using litigation to hold the tobacco industry liable for its 
wrongdoings.
  Collectively, these provisions provide nations with a roadmap for 
enacting strong, science-based policies that can save lives and improve 
health across the world.
  It is for these reasons that I rise today to applaud the efforts of 
Secretary Thompson and to commend him for advancing the cause of 
international health. He has rode to the rescue.
  The press reports coming out of these meetings suggested the United 
States was not going to be fully engaged and fully involved in the 
development of this important global standard related to the use of 
tobacco. Secretary Thompson arrived on the scene and came in quickly 
with good news.
  Only with concerted action can we avert millions of premature deaths 
and prevent future generations of young people from falling victim to 
the tobacco epidemic.
  The Framework Convention has brought nations of the world together to 
combat this global epidemic.
  But, this is the only the first step.
  Now, it is imperative that the United States continue to play an 
active role in the effective implementation of this treaty.
  This begins with signing and ratifying the Framework Convention.
  I will be working in the United States Senate to make sure we do our 
part in this process.
  And I hope the Administration will follow the lead of Secretary 
Thompson and will do their part as well.
  I am confident that working together, we can reduce the terrible toll 
in health, lives, and money that tobacco use takes around the world.

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