Posted on 05/18/2003 11:41:47 AM PDT by 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
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.
Amen, brother, say it again.
You got that right. I ditto everything you and JaJ are saying. Some people are frogs in cold water that's slowly heating up on the stove of socialism....very sad indeed.
FMCDH
LOL! You forgot the sacasm alert; many here won't realize you joking.
Save the Elephants from the Rhimos!
The propoganda will be stepped up, the un will have to get a cut of taxes...
Sure. What I mean to say is,(as a smoker I might add) that as our freedoms are being taken away, they are being so because,IMHO, people are focusing on issues I.E. smokers rights and making emotional decisions on them when the focus should be on overall human rights granted by the constitution. (the Oprah Winfrey syndrome)Dubya' has the political saavy to understand this and is taking it apart piece by piece. If he were to try and make things better overnight he knows he would follow in his fathers footsteps and be a 1 term President through votes of emotion. This would not be helpful at all is the way I see it. He has done a fabulous job of playing the Dim's game and he is winning it politically, don't you agree?
In case you haven't noticed. GWB is a Republican. That makes him quite hostile to the idea of actually following the Law of the Land. If you want the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and respect for basic first principles like personal responsibility and private property then it is simply impossible to be a Bushee.
1) Tax cuts and forcing government spending closer to the home of each tax payer
2) Stiffeling terrorism in our country
3)Giving the market a jolt which I am very pleased to see.
4)Increasing Federal spending, which was cut by previous administrations, on defense which is the biggest reason for Federal Government spending.
5)His nominee's for the court's which are being held back because of another party's stiffeling of our personal rights through government.
6)His lack of concern for stating religious beliefs while holding office.
7) He prevented, through his hard efforts, a Dimocrat from holding the POTUS position.
8)He Commanded the troops who ousted a known tyrant, which never would have come about if he were to have been defeated in his run for president.
9)Whether you want to believe it or not, he has started the ball rolling to make the U.N. irrelevant.(this is a definite boost to our personal freedoms)
10)He has given us our respect back as United States citizens as percieved by the rest of the civilized world.
I think it is because you do not see the larger picture. EGPWS points to the need to keep Democrats out of power.
He wrote:
"If he were to try and make things better overnight he knows he would follow in his fathers footsteps and be a 1 term President through votes of emotion. This would not be helpful at all is the way I see it. He has done a fabulous job of playing the Dim's game and he is winning it politically, don't you agree?"
I understand that he means, that if Bush did the right on the particular issues, he and Republicans would be penalised by losing power. But by clever embracing of Democrats agenda he can take the votes away from them.
Carlton's...and I can now see why you carry the screen name you do!:)
Well said, A. Pole! We could use more of your kind of "visionary thinking" here at FR!
Have you considered a professional life on broadcasting?
Yes. Do you know about some openings for me?
Legally, President Bush isn't allowed to do this. He's not allowed to make treaties that effect the internal laws of our nation.
What's next? This is no more a legal act it than it would be if President Bush promoted an international treaty banning private ownership of handguns.
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