Global Appeal to U.S. Delegation to the FCTC

In January 2003, Essential Action asked tobacco control organizations around the world, what message they would like to send to the U.S. delegation to the FCTC. Below is a compilation of their responses.

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

We would try to impress upon the U.S. delegation that we prefer health to tobacco.
Iqbal Masud, Coordinator, Tobacco and Anti-Drug Division
Dhaka Ahsania Mission
BANGLADESH

If cocaine were legal in Chile, would you support a ban on advertising it?
Tim Frasca, Director
Cipress Foundation
CHILE

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

US delegation should join the majority of the nations to strengthen FCTC recommendations.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar,
NOTE India
INDIA

The US is looked upon by many as a benchmark for various issues. It has had a large influence on all other countries and its Western lifestyle is emulated by many. It is the responsibility of the US Delegation to serve as role model in Tobacco Control ,thereby saving future generations from degenerating due to tobacco abuse. They should support the advertising ban and set an example for all others to follow.
Alka Kapadia, Executive Director
Cancer Patients Aid Association
INDIA

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

People around the world, especially in Mongolia, like Americans. They think American people are very nice and that the USA is a leading country in the world. They want to act like Americans, study in America, learn from Americans. We would like to keep this positive view of the USA.
S. Oyuntugs, Program Officer
Tobacco or Health
MONGOLIA

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

As a leader in world affairs, the US should also be a leader in global tobacco control. This will further improve US position in world politics.
Dr. Tariq Parvez, Chairman
Pakistan Society for Cancer Prevention
PAKISTAN

Protecting your own nation is not enough, protect others as well.
Jin Sook Choi, Secretary General
Korean Association of Smoking and Health
SOUTH KOREA

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

Studies have shown that children and teenagers are more susceptible to tobacco advertisements than adults. Comprehensive advertising and promotion bans are in place in some countries and have proven to be an effective way to stop the spread of tobacco addiction. The US must therefore support a total ban of advertising and promotion of tobacco for the sake of our children -- our future.
Muyunda Ililonga, Executive Secretary
Zambia Consumers Association
ZAMBIA