WHATEVER they may say publicly, 27 February 2005 is not a date that tobacco companies will be commemorating. It was the day when the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a global treaty masterminded by the World Health Organization, came into force.
Within three years, king-size health warnings will have to be plastered across all cigarette packets sold in member nations. And the tobacco industry will face comprehensive bans on advertising or sponsorship within five years. Countries will also be obliged to outlaw smoking in public places, such as bars and restaurants, by 2010. The treaty is legally binding in the 57 countries that have ratified it so far, including the UK, Australia and India, but not the US.
鈥淐ountries will be obliged to outlaw smoking in public places, such as bars, by 2010鈥�
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The biggest impact could be in developing countries, where smoking is growing fastest. The treaty will also improve cross-border cooperation, says Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, director of the Tobacco Free Initiative at the WHO. 鈥淭his will leave fewer loopholes for the tobacco industry, which currently finds ways to circumvent national laws.鈥�
