WHO praises China's decision to sign anti-smoking convention
( 2003-11-21 21:37) (Xinhua)
A World Health Organization
(WHO) regional official on Friday praised China's decision earlier this month to
sign the global anti-smoking treaty designed to reduce the devastating health
and economic impact of cigarette smoking.
Shigeru Omi, WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific, described
China's decision as "a notable achievement and an important commitment from a
country struggling with an enormous burden of death and disease caused by
tobacco use."
In a statement released by the WHO regional office in Manila, Omi said China
is among 11 countries in the Western Pacific to have signed the treaty, a first
step to ratification.
"The next step is for China to ratify the Convention as soon as possible, and
move towards effective implementation," he said.
The legally binding treaty, the world's first on public health, was passed by
the WHO general assembly in May after nearly four years of negotiations.
The treaty imposes comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, bans the use of
misleading terms such as "light" and "mild" cigarettes, raises tobacco taxes,
and protects non-smokers from exposure to tobacco use in the workplace and
public places.
Worldwide, 77 countries have signed, and five - Fiji, Malta, Norway, the
Marshall Islands, Seychelles and Sri Lanka - have ratified the convention, the
statement said.
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