World's First Health Treaty

This is something BIG. This is something that can and will save lives- even millions each year. World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan said, "We hold in our hands, the solution to the global tobacco epidemic that threatens the lives of one billion men, women and children during this century." That would be about 10 million lives a year for the next 100 years! If this tobacco epidemic is not addressed, it would claim the equivalent of the entire population of the state of Michigan (the 8th most populated state in the U.S.) every year for the next century!

Unfortunately, very few people know about this world treaty; the treaty that has been the most widely embraced treaty in all of UN history. It is the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic the WHO took charge and formed the FCTС, which provides countries with a framework of proven public health policies and strategies that, when adopted, will reduce supply and demand of tobacco products. Since it opened for signature in June 2003, the treaty has received 168 signatories and covers 85% of the world population.

While the WHO FCTC has made huge strides in combating the global tobacco epidemic, there is still much to do. Even after a nation ratifies the treaty, it is then up to that nation to implement it, which will demand much enthusiasm and political commitment. Our advocacy of the treaty is greatly needed, especially here in the United States where we are yet to ratify the FCTC. That should be humiliating to a country that prides itself in being a world leader (for more information on the United States and tobacco control, read The United States: No Longer a World Leader in Tobacco Control.

For more details on the FCTC please visit the World Health Organization.

"Candy Sticks"

Tobacco Candy Store:

* Acetone: An ingredient in nail polish remover.
* Ammonia: Household cleaner.
* Angelica root extract: Known to cause cancer in animals.
* Arsenic: Used in rat poisons.
* Benzene: Used in making dyes, synthetic rubber.
* Butane: Gas; used in lighter fluid.
* Carbon monoxide: Poisonous gas.
* Cadmium: Used in batteries.
* DDT: A banned insecticide.
* Ethyl Furoate: Causes liver damage in animals.
* Lead: Poisonous in high doses.
* Formaldehiyde: Used to preserve dead specimens.
* Methoprene: Insecticide.
* Megastigmatrienone: Chemical naturally found in grapefruit juice.
* Maltitol: Sweetener for diabetics.
* Napthalene: Ingredient in mothballs.
* Methyl isocyanate: An accidental release in 1984 killed 2000 people in Bhopal, India.
* Polonium: Cancer-causing radioactive element.
* Shellac: When mixed with denatured alcohol, the resin becomes wood varnish.


For a greater sample of tobacco candy visit BBC's What's in a Cigarette?

U.S. One Step Closer

Earlier today the House of Representatives approved a bill that gives the FDA power to regulate tobacco products in the U.S. This came one day after the government raised tobacco tax by the single largest federal tobacco tax increase ever of 60 cents per cigarette pack. Public health 2, Big tobacco 0! Both of these legislative measures will help reduce tobacco consumption as well as potentially reduce disease associated with tobacco use. In fact, tobacco tax has been proven to be the most successful method for reducing tobacco consumption. The U.S. is one step closer to the FCTC!

Graphic Labels in the UK

Country Spotlight: RUSSIA

Two years ago I returned from an incredible life-shaping experience in Russia where I had spent two years living among, and serving, the Russian people along the Volga River. The more I grew to love the people, the more I grew in empathy toward the Russians in their particular challenges which they face. Smoking is one addiction in which so many are entangled, and many were brought to that point in their ignorance of youth as victims of conspiring tobacco corporations.
Former Russia president, Vladimir Putin, ratified the WHO FCTC last year which marks a huge step for Russia in the direction of health. Here are a couple sobering stats about tobacco in Russia:

• Tobacco has been a major contributor to Russia' low male life expectancy. In the year 1965 a Russian male was expected to live to 65 years of age, whereas up until recently the Russian male life expectancy was below 60 years old. The 1960's were largely when the USSR got "hooked" on cigarettes.
  
• The most current research conducted by the World Health Organization indicates that approximately 70% of men and 27% of women in Russia currently use tobacco.
  

This May and June I will be in Russia conducting a research project that ultimately seeks to advocate the further implementation of the ratified WHO FCTC. We will collect a national representative opinion concerning graphic tobacco warning labels, which data can then be used as ammunition in legislating for the implementation of graphic warning labels in Russia. Advocating the development and implementation of the FCTC is important since while a country may ratify the treaty, that country is the one who determines which policies they will actually adopt into legislation.

The Tobacco Trap

Big tobacco is working its way into the infrastructure of developing countries' economies in order to secure future addicts and, subsequently, future revenues. For tobacco corporations morals are obsolete and cold hard cash is the only driving motive behind business development. The economic power of the tobacco industry is handcuffing local growers as well as national governments by providing work for the people and money for the governments at a time when both are hard to come by, and all this is fueled by an addictive product. A good example is China where the tobacco industry provides an estimated 8% of total government revenues and employs approximately 4 million Chinese citizens. Unfortunately, the attractive allure of currency is blocking government leaders' view of some pretty somber facts, such as one million killings and 27 billion in economic losses each year also attributed to the tobacco industry.
Several countries in Africa are also rapidly falling under the chains of corporate tobacco. The following link The Tobacco Trap leads to a short documentary that tells the story of emerging tobacco giants in impoverished Africa. I found the video to be very interesting and highly recommend it to all of you. It will only take a few minutes of your day!

Graphic Warning Labels

database for tobacco warning labels

As part of the FCTC, the WHO recommends accompanying text warning labels with large graphics that depict the consequences of smoking and that will cover at least 30-50% of the front and back of tobacco packs. Here are a few examples from around the Singapore. Which one would be most effective in detering you from smoking ?