[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55264-55265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21842]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Public Meeting/Opportunity for Public Comment: Framework 
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science/Office of Global Health 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 
soliciting comments on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 
(FCTC), a proposed international legal instrument intended to address 
the global problem of tobacco use. Individuals and organizations are 
encouraged to comment on the FCTC in one or both of the following ways: 
(1) In writing, by submission through the mails, or e-mail; (2) in 
person, at a public meeting that will be convened in Nashville, TN.

DATES: Written comments may be submitted until September 27, 2002. 
Comments can be submitted by mail or electronically (electronic 
submissions are encouraged).

ADDRESSES: To submit electronic comments, send via e-mail to 
[email protected]. To submit comments by mail, send to: FCTC 
Comments (Attn: Ms. Gail Zaslow), Office of Global Health Affairs, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Room 18-105, Rockville, MD 20857.
    The public meeting will be held on September 20, 2002, from 9:15 
a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street, 
Nashville, TN 37219. Seating capacity is 125 people. Comments also will 
be accepted during the public meeting. Those who wish to attend are 
encouraged to register early with the contact person listed below. If 
you will require a sign language interpreter, or have other special 
needs, please notify the contact person by 4:30 E.D.T. on September 5, 
2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Joy Epstein, Office of Global 
Health Affairs, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-105, Rockville, MD 20857, 
301-443-

[[Page 55265]]

1774 (telephone) or 301-443-6822 (facsimile) or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 1999, the World Health Assembly, the 
governing body of the World Health Organization, unanimously adopted 
resolution WHA 52.18 calling for negotiation of a Framework Convention 
on Tobacco Control support (FCTC). The United States joined other 
countries in voicing support for negotiation of the convention, which 
is intended to address the global problem of tobacco use. Following two 
meetings of an FCTC working group held in Geneva in October 1999 and 
March 2000, an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established 
to negotiate the text of the FCTC and related protocols. Four meetings 
of the INB have been conducted, in October 2000, April and November 
2001, and March 2002. A negotiating team headed by staff of the Office 
of Global Health Affairs (DHHS) represented the United States. Other 
members of the negotiating team represented HHS, the Departments of 
State, Treasury, Justice, Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade 
Representative. An interagency working group developed the guidance for 
the negotiating team.
    The fifth INB session is scheduled for October 14-25, 2002.
    (Background documents on the FCTC are available on the World Health 
Organization's Web site at http://tobacco.who.int/en/fctc/index.html.)
    Written Comments: In preparation for the fifth INB session, the 
U.S. negotiating delegation is seeking comments from the public on the 
FCTC. A new draft of the FCTC was released by the chairman of the INB 
on July 16, 2002. It is available at http://www.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/inb5/einb52.doc. Comments should be based on this version of the draft 
convention.
    Announcement of Meeting: The U.S. Government is seeking to 
understand the perspectives of various organizations and individuals on 
the FCTC. The comment period and public meeting are intended to give 
interested persons, including public health and medical professionals, 
state and local officials, farmers, retailers, manufacturers, and 
others an opportunity to comment on the FCTC. Respondents to this 
notice will have the opportunity to speak to representatives of the 
government.
    Meeting Location and Registration: The public meeting will be held 
on September 20, 2002, from 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nashville Public 
Library, 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219.
    If you would like to attend the public meeting, you are encouraged 
to register early by providing your name, title, firm name, address, 
and telephone number to Gail Zaslow (contact information above). The 
U.S. Government encourages individuals to submit written comments, 
either electronically or by mail. Comments also will be accepted during 
the meeting. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please notify 
Gail Zaslow (address above) when you register.
    The transcript of the public meeting and submitted comments will be 
posted on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/framework.htm.

    Dated: August 21, 2002.
William R. Steiger,
Special Assistant to the Secretary for International Affairs and 
Director, Office of Global Health Affairs.
[FR Doc. 02-21842 Filed 8-27-02; 8:45 am]
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