APHA Applauds U.S. for Signing Global Tobacco Control Treaty, Urges Administration to Make Ratification a Top Priority

Washington, DC, May 11, 2004 —“The American Public Health Association commends Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson for signing the international tobacco control treaty yesterday on behalf of the United States.

“The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is a major milestone in protecting public health and containing the global epidemic of tobacco use, which kills more than 4 million people worldwide annually.

“While signing the treaty is a major step, the accomplishment is meaningless without ratification by the U.S. Senate and does not commit the United States to any of the treaty’s goals of reducing global tobacco use. I urge the administration to submit the treaty without delay to the Senate, where senators should quickly ratify the agreement.

“With Secretary Thompson’s signature, the United States joins more than a hundred other countries who have already signed the agreement. The treaty becomes international law once 40 countries ratify it; 12 countries have thus far.

“The American Public Health Association calls on the administration and Senate to expeditiously work together to advance and ratify the treaty and work for full implementation to protect the health of all citizens from the scourge of tobacco.”