U.S. Shocks with Promise to Back Anti-Smoking Pact (Tommy Thompson told journalists (WHO)) )

reuters ^ | 5/18/2003 | Karen Iley

[TLBSHOW]

U.S. Shocks with Promise to Back Anti-Smoking Pact

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States said Sunday it would fully support a global anti-smoking treaty at this week's world health meeting, startling observers by dropping its objections to the pact.

"I'm going to support it -- much to the surprise of many around the world," U.S. Health Secretary Tommy Thompson told journalists on the eve of the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual assembly.

Despite having some of the world's toughest anti-smoking rules, the United States, along with Germany, had opposed a clause to ban advertising saying it went against constitutional guarantees to free speech.

In what appeared to be an about-turn on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the world's first international treaty on health, Thompson said he would not call for alterations to the text.

"I'm not going to make any changes. We have no reservations. The delegation here, headed by me, is in support of the tobacco treaty," he said.

Health activists said they were thrilled by the U.S. change of heart on tobacco.

"It's an astonishing departure from the obstructionist position the United States has taken throughout the negotiations," said Kathryn Mulvey, executive director of U.S. anti-smoking alliance Infact.

However Thompson stopped short of saying the United States would ratify the pact, which aims to wean the world off a habit that kills almost five million people a year.

President Bush, bogged down with other issues such as Iraq and getting the economy back on track, had not yet had a chance to review the text with his lawyers, he said.

"The president is going to make a determination as to if and when he signs it... He's still reviewing it. It got up on his personal radar screen this past week, I've given him my pitch and he was quite supportive," he said.

The treaty seeks to tackle the consequences of tobacco use with measures ranging from a halt in advertising to a crackdown on smuggling and a ban on cigarette sales to minors.

The United Nations health agency predicts the number of people dying each year from cancer, cardiovascular disease and other conditions linked to smoking could exceed 10 million by 2020, with 70 percent of the victims in the developing world

[Just another Joe]

PUFF!

What the f___?
We need to get a letter writing campaign to the White House going on this.

[Norse]

You know what's terrible?

The U.S.A. is supposed to be the land of the free, but when foreigners see that in the U.S.

1) There exist the toughest smoking laws in the world
2) Kids under 21 cannot have alcohol while they can be drafted, can vote
3) There is a curfew on minors
4) People don't have the right to set a weed on fire and inhale the smoke.

It really makes it hard to say with a straight face that the U.S. is in fact the land of the free. I'm sick and tired of people walking all over the consitution.

Screw the government! Screw em! - Father in Legends of the Fall

[TLBSHOW]

constitutional ISSUES HERE.........

TIME TO FREEP OUR SIDE AGAIN

I am getting real tired of this BS from the right.

[TLBSHOW]

notice the silence from FR,,,, sad really that whatever our side does gets a free pass....

Oh well the noose is being tightened everyday from the left and the right. No difference from what I see, except our side is doing it slowwwwwwwww,,,,,,,,,

[husky ed]

"The president is going to make a determination as to if and when he signs it... He's still reviewing it. It got up on his personal radar screen this past week, I've given him my pitch and he was quite supportive,"

Wait a second while I light up my churchill maduro, aahhhhhhhhhhhh

It's crap like this and the AWB that make me question my support of Bush the next time around.

[G.Mason]

Come on!

Gooberment can't enforce the laws in place now.

If them congress critters just keep on filablustering them thar joodicial appointees we will all be safer.

Much to do about nothing.

[Beck_isright]

I'm so glad we're establishing a Ministry of Health on an international basis also. The Ministry of Truth said that this would happen after reccomendations from the Ministry of Peace.

[Just another Joe]

notice the silence from FR,,,, sad really that whatever our side does gets a free pass....

It seems you will find only a minority here on FR that find anything wrong with any laws, or treaties, against smoking, smokers, or any type of legislation against these.
It is sad that as we try to hold to the Constitutional Republic, others don't care that the creeping crud of socialism, straight democracy, and global government are coming to our shores at an ever increasing pace.

[Gabz]

I'm too stunned to respond at the moment - I don't want to get banned.

[Gabz]

EXACTLY

[EGPWS]

constitutional ISSUES HERE.........

That's an understatement if I have ever heard one!

[Gabz]

notice the silence from FR,,,,

And that silence will get even louder because there are too many who see this ONLY about smoking that personification of all evil - the cigarette.

They refuse to see the big picture that this is much, much more.

[Normal4me]

"notice the silence from FR,,,, "

Sorry, I had to run to the store for cigs and beer. This country sounds like it needs a good shake up, perhaps a tax revolt!

[EGPWS]

It's crap like this and the AWB that make me question my support of Bush the next time around.

Don't focus on "the crap". Keep a keen eye on the overall issues. Leave the crap for the Dimecrats to focus on while Dubya' keeps his focus on the overall gains to personal freedoms we all hold dear. IMHO, he is doing a great job of it while leaving crumbs laid for the Dim's to devour and eat up their time and resources.

[Timesink]

However Thompson stopped short of saying the United States would ratify the pact, which aims to wean the world off a habit that kills almost five million people a year.

In other words, he's going to sign it, then come home and ignore it. You can't sign away the First Amendment with an international treaty, period.

[EGPWS]

perhaps a tax revolt!

Show prudence my man! A tax revolt when we are on the verge of a tax reduction? Again? These things take time.

[Gabz]

You've got that right.

although I will give a bit of credit there sem to be a few more every week that agree that the attack on tobacco smokers is getting a bit out of hand - many of whom state emphatically they hate the smell of it.

At least they are being honest about it. Unlike the paid professional antis.

[Timesink]

notice the silence from FR,,,, sad really that whatever our side does gets a free pass....

If you don't put your post in one of the Big Four sidebars (Front Page, Extended News, Breaking News, or Editorial), then people aren't going to see it.

I just put this in frontpage. Let's see what happens.

[golder]

I'm too stunned to respond at the moment - I don't want to get banned.

My God! I pray you are right.