U.S.: GET BIG TOBACCO'S HANDS OFF NYC
--SUPPORT A STRONG FCTC!
(Rally at NYC City Hall Park - February 19, 2003)

Comments by Genesis Castro
Orleans County Reality Check

People from around the world are angry over the double standard they see from the United States. While we have laws banning some forms of tobacco advertising and promotions, we do not support global advertising restrictions. Why? We want to protect our citizens while we are protecting tobacco industry profits. In effect, we are saying, “Big tobacco, you may continue to aggressively market death, just don’t do it to U.S. citizens.” Without our support many countries cannot stand up to the influence of the large tobacco multinationals that we released on the world. What are people saying?

If the US hinders the FCTC, it will be responsible for tobacco's global death toll.
Dr. Kamel Bereksi, President
NGO Sante Sii El Houari
ALGERIA

The message to US Delegation is clear: They must not allow their own tobacco companies to advertise tobacco so ruthlessly and shamelessly and unethically, in developing countries. The practices, which tobacco companies cannot indulge in their own country, should not be allowed to happen across their borders. Without a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, it is just not possible to address the growing menace of tobacco in developing countries.
      There are people, in developing countries too. Life, is not only within the borders of USA. There are so many real life issues crippling the economies and development of developing countries. Can we afford a purely avoidable burden of disease, disability and death? US delegation must support a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, and step ahead in strictly controlling it's own tobacco companies efforts to spread the tobacco epidemic beyond the borders of USA.
Bobby Ramakant, Pilot Coordinator
INGCAT Task force for South East Asia
INDIA

Money is not as important as people lives.
Muna Hamzeh, Chief of Health Education
Ministry of Health
JORDAN

U.S. should know it influences the whole world. We use American examples here in our advocacy. Please do something positive and forget selfishness, so that you can be the world leader in truth. Indeed, the world is watching and waiting.
Seun Akioye, Campaign Director
Journalist Advocacy for Safe Environment & Tobacco Eradication (JASETE)
NIGERIA

The US Delegation to the FCTC should understand that their reluctance to regulate this product should be equal to their unwillingness to support terrorism. Tobacco kills more people than the September 11 attack ever did and will continue to do so. It's time the US lived up to the real meaning of the Statue of Liberty, bowed down to the voice of the 3rd world countries, and started being a true leader, not just a leader led by money.
Pamodinee Wijayanayake, Executive Director
Alcohol & Drug Information Centre (ADIC)
SRI LANKA

The US is being unfair to the rest of the world, while they have progressive tobacco controls that protect their citizens, they are bent on denying the rest of the world such protection. With the poor record of the US ratifying conventions it is unlikely they will ratify the FCTC. The US should refrain from weakening the treaty.
Phillip Karugaba,
TEAN
UGANDA

It is clear that we need to take responsibility for the leadership in the struggle against tobacco advertising and promotion. Now our United States Delegation must support a strong Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). To do otherwise would continue our hypocrisy and lack of concern for the people of the world.