Pivotal time in international tobacco control

22 November 2001 

A crucial phase in the international effort to impose global controls on the tobacco industry is underway in Geneva, Switzerland today.

The World Health Organisation’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) will meet to continue its work in drafting and negotiating the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - an international legal instrument intended to curb the global spread of tobacco and tobacco products.

  Australian non-government tobacco control groups are represented at the meeting and have drafted a declaration on the FCTC to ensure Australia’s voice is heard in the FCTC process.

  The Cancer Council Australia (TCCA), the National Heart Foundation (NHF), Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) have joined other Australian non-government tobacco control organisations as signatories to the declaration on the FCTC. It is the first time so many non-government groups have joined together in an international position statement.

“The declaration adds the considerable weight and influence of the Australian tobacco control network to the FCTC process. Australia has a significant international role to play in this arena,” said Dr Andrew Penman, Chair of The Cancer Council Australia’s Public Health Committee.

“The negotiation of the FCTC is a unique and historic opportunity for global action on tobacco control. We have to ensure that we take this chance to make the FCTC as strong as possible,” Dr Penman said.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the world today. At present, four million people a year die from tobacco-related disease and it is estimated that the death toll will rise to 10 million a year by 2030.

ASH Chair Dr Matthew Peters said recent reports that a major Japanese tobacco company had brokered an exclusive deal to develop and market new lung cancer vaccines made strong international controls an urgent global priority.

“There can be no better illustration as to why we need to tackle tobacco with a coordinated and concerted international push than this. The idea that a tobacco company could profit from lung cancer in this way would appall most people,” he said.

The National Heart Foundation warned that while most developed and developing countries wanted a strong international treaty there was also the risk that the FCTC may be watered down.

“The influence of the tobacco industry on governments cannot be underestimated. Already there are concerns the tobacco industry in the United States is pressuring to have elements of the FCTC watered down and they are targetting people within the Bush administration to do this,” said Maurice Swanson.

There are more than 130 members states of the World Health Assembly taking part in the FCTC negotiations and non-government organisations have a considerable role to play in influencing the content and strength of the FCTC document.

The aim is to adopt the FCTC by May 2003 or earlier.

AMA President Dr Kerryn Phelps said it was a pivotal time in international tobacco control. “Tobacco control is a global problem that requires a global response and it is important that the Australian non-government organisations have their voice heard,” she said.

“Clear and unequivocal support from all Australian political parties and governments, as well as Member States of the World Health Assembly and the international public health community is vital for a strong FCTC.”

The Australian declaration on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been signed by The Cancer Council Australia, The National Heart Foundation, ASH, Vichealth Centre for Tobacco Control, ACOSH, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, the Public Health Association of Australia, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

“This list represents decades of knowledge and experience in tobacco control. The Australian contribution to the FCTC is significant and we are seen as having a leadership role in the negotiations and support of a strong FCTC,” Dr Penman said.

“The FCTC has the potential to change the world public health environment forever and Australia has a responsibility to ensure the final document is a worthwhile instrument in the global control of tobacco.”

For further comments contact:
Anne Jones, ASH  ph. (02) 93341876