Standards to implement In'tl Tobacco Control Treaty adopted
The third conference of Parties on the Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control was held last week in Durban, South Africa and it has
taken a number of decisions, said President of Sri Lanka National
Federation on Smoking and Health and ADIC Sri Lanka Chairperson Olcott
Gunasekera.
Gunasekera a member of International Treaty on Tobacco Control says,
Nations that met in Durban, South Africa last week have unanimously
adopted international standards for implementing the international
tobacco control treaty that mandate health warning labels that cover 50
percent or more, and no less than 30 percent, of tobacco packaging and
feature graphic images of health conditions caused by tobacco.
Nations have also adopted standards to protect tobacco control public
health policies from tobacco industry interests. Additionally, standards
were adopted that call for Governments to implement bans on all tobacco
advertising, promotions and sponsorships.
These were important decisions taken at the Third Conference of
Parties of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that met in
Durban, South Africa from November 17 to 22 to curb the global tobacco
epidemic.
Strong health warnings and advertising bans are critical components
of a comprehensive approach to reducing tobacco use and saving millions
of lives worldwide, as are strong standards to help prevent industry
interference in government implementation of tobacco control measures
and policy-making processes. Because the tobacco industry sells a
product that will lead to disease and premature death in fully half of
its users, the industry's interests are fundamentally in conflict with
nations' public health and economic aspirations.
These measures have been proven by a substantial body of evidence to
help reduce tobacco use and curb the leading preventable cause of death
today.
They are especially effective when implemented in tandem with other
interventions mandated by the treaty, such as raising the price of
tobacco products through higher taxes and implementing smoke-free laws
that require 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and public places.
The 161 Parties to the treaty are legally obligated to implement
these measures.
Specifically, the international standards adopted last week call on
nations to: require large, clear, visible and legible warning labels on
tobacco packaging. These labels should contain graphic images of health
conditions caused by tobacco use, and should cover 50 percent or more,
and no less than 30 percent, of the pack.
The health warnings should also rotate so consumers do not become
accustomed to any specific warnings.
The standards on packaging and labelling call for banning the use of
false, misleading and deceptive terms or labels that give the impression
that one tobacco product is less harmful than any other tobacco product.
This includes terms such as 'low tar', 'light' and 'mild' that have been
proven to be meaningless.
The standars call on nations to implement comprehensive bans of all
tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorships. Bans should extend to
all indoor, outdoor and electronic media and prohibit tobacco companies
from using tobacco brand names, logos, or visual brand identities on
non-tobacco products, activities, or events.
Bans on sponsorship should prohibit tobacco companies from
contributing to events or activities, such as concerts and sporting
events with the likely effect of promoting a tobacco product or tobacco
use.
The nations are required to establish measures to limit tobacco
industry influence on public health policies, and ensure the
transparency of any interactions. Additionally, the standards require
that any information provided by the tobacco industry be transparent and
accurate.
Partnerships with the tobacco industry in any initiatives linked to
public health policy should not be allowed, and activities considered
'socially responsible' should be strictly regulated. These so-called
responsible actions are no more than a marketing tactic by the tobacco
industry to project a positive image of itself despite the deadly nature
of its products.
Scientific studies have found that prominent health warnings lead to
greater awareness of health risks of tobacco use and an increased desire
to quit. Studies also show that comprehensive bans on tobacco
advertising, promotions, and sponsorships are particularly effective at
reducing tobacco use among young people. Partial advertising bans, such
as restrictions on billboards, only allow tobacco companies to find new
ways to market their products.
Each year, the tobacco industry spends billions of dollars throughout
the world on advertising, sponsorships and other forms of promotion.
These tactics are often targeted at specific groups such as women and
youth.
Other decisions include preparation on Guidelines to State Parties on
Education, communication, training and public awareness, Demand
reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation,
Economically viable alternate activities to tobacco growing, Protection
of the environment and the health of persons, and to continue with the
work on negotiating a Protocol to eradicate illicit trade in tobacco
products.
Tobacco use killed one hundred million people in the 20th century,
and if current trends continue, it will claim one billion lives in the
21st century, according to the World Health Organization.
Tobacco use already kills 5.4 million people a year and the epidemic
is worsening, especially in the developing world where more than 80
percent of tobacco-caused deaths will occur in the coming decades. By
effectively implementing the proven tobacco control measures called for
by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, nations can reverse the
tobacco epidemic and save countless lives.
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