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SUBMIT
TESTIMONY TO DHHS RE: FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL
SUBMITTING TESTIMONY: Public health groups and others are encouraged to submit testimony to the Department of Health and Human Services. You do not need to attend the hearing itself in order to submit testimony. Written comments may be submitted until September 27, 2002. Comments can be submitted by mail or electronically (electronic submissions are encouraged). To submit electronic comments, send via e-mail to FCTC.OGHA@osophs.dhhs.gov 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. Remember that the tobacco industry and its front groups will also be submitting testimony, so it is important that as many groups and individuals as possible submit testimony favoring a strong FCTC. Below is some background information and suggested talking points. BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disease in the world today. Each year, 4 million people around the globe die prematurely as a result of tobacco-caused diseases. By the year 2020 over 10 millions will die each year unless swift action is taken, with the majority of those deaths occurring in the developing world. Tragically, this epidemic is being fuelled by an industry that values profits above human life. In response to this burgeoning global epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated the first-ever international treaty on tobacco control, known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC could be a crucial tool in combating this global epidemic, by defining clear, binding rules on issues that can only be resolved through international agreement. (such as cross-border advertising, smuggling and trade issues). It could also assist countries in implementing best-practices in tobacco control on such issues as passive smoking and labeling. On the other hand, a poorly drafted FCTC will certainly be used by the tobacco industry as a powerful argument against stronger legislation. Therefore it is important that the FCTC not enshrine poorly-designed regulatory measures or subordinate the protection of public health to the commercial interests of the tobacco industry. So far in the negotiations, the Bush Administration has continually tried to water down the treaty on such critical issues as tobacco advertising, consumer protection and trade. The Administration's positions would facilitate the tobacco industry's assault on the developing world, rather than empowering countries to protect the health of their citizens. It is important that the Administration hear from U.S. citizens that this conduct is completely unacceptable, and that U.S. policy needs to change. Sign the Online Petition! Another way
you can make your voice heard is by signing the online petition asking
President Bush to support a strong FCTC. Signing the petition is easy.
Simply go to: MORE INFORMATION: More information about the FCTC and global tobacco issues can be found on the following websites: http://tobaccofreekids.org/global http://www5.who.int/tobacco/ ATTENDING THE MEETING (from the Federal Register notice) "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. Zaslow, Office of Global Health Affairs, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Room 18–105, Rockville, MD 20857, 301–443–1774 (telephone)
or 301–443–6822 (facsimile) or FCTC.OGHA@osophs.dhhs.gov" |