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Putting the Shackle on Tobacco II
Author: caren_zuo Date: 2006-11-13 02:56
By Caren Zuo
However, as negotiations continued, the situation became more complicated. Conflicts between health department representatives and those beyond became more acute, reaching a climax in the fourth round of talks. Just as speculation developed that the entire agreement would be a wash, the radical position yielded, and a compromise was reached during the sixth meeting.
"It is an issue of personal rights between smokers and non-smokers as far as health is concerned. However, it also conceals struggles of power and trade," says Yang Gonghuan, medical professor at Peking Union Medical College and director of the China branch of the Global Institute of Tobacco Control. Yang participated in the entire FCTC process, from drafting to formal negotiations.
The relationship between health and economics had been a core issue of the negotiations. Generally, the attitudes of each participating country toward tobacco control depended on the percentage the tobacco industry contributed to its Gross Domestic Product. The WHO members were divided into developed countries versus the developing countries, countries with large tobacco industries versus countries with small ones.
For example, the ban on tobacco advertising was bitterly opposed by Japan, the United States, and Germany, while New Zealand and various members of the European Union fully supported it. In the end, an agreement was reached allowing a five-year period before each country will be required to "undertake a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship." Other issues, such as a special tobacco control fund for developing countries, paid for by developed countries, were put off for future negotiation in the face of vigorous debate. Ultimately, the treaty's language was moderated, with stronger words such as "should" and "must" being replaced with phrases such as "shall, as appropriate."
"Each country's economy is influenced to varying degrees by the tobacco industry," says Xiong Bilin, deputy director of the Industrial Development Department of the State Planning and Development Commission, who headed the Chinese delegation from the second through the last rounds of negotiation. "It would be preferable to reach a mild agreement rather than a radical but unacceptable one." As the original, tougher tobacco control measures were gradually softened; the final agreement seemed to withdraw its claws. Regardless, though it is still too early to remark on its worldwide influence, Dr. Brundtland's goal of a "shackle on tobacco" has come true.
However, as negotiations continued, the situation became more complicated. Conflicts between health department representatives and those beyond became more acute, reaching a climax in the fourth round of talks. Just as speculation developed that the entire agreement would be a wash, the radical position yielded, and a compromise was reached during the sixth meeting.
"It is an issue of personal rights between smokers and non-smokers as far as health is concerned. However, it also conceals struggles of power and trade," says Yang Gonghuan, medical professor at Peking Union Medical College and director of the China branch of the Global Institute of Tobacco Control. Yang participated in the entire FCTC process, from drafting to formal negotiations.
The relationship between health and economics had been a core issue of the negotiations. Generally, the attitudes of each participating country toward tobacco control depended on the percentage the tobacco industry contributed to its Gross Domestic Product. The WHO members were divided into developed countries versus the developing countries, countries with large tobacco industries versus countries with small ones.
For example, the ban on tobacco advertising was bitterly opposed by Japan, the United States, and Germany, while New Zealand and various members of the European Union fully supported it. In the end, an agreement was reached allowing a five-year period before each country will be required to "undertake a comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship." Other issues, such as a special tobacco control fund for developing countries, paid for by developed countries, were put off for future negotiation in the face of vigorous debate. Ultimately, the treaty's language was moderated, with stronger words such as "should" and "must" being replaced with phrases such as "shall, as appropriate."
"Each country's economy is influenced to varying degrees by the tobacco industry," says Xiong Bilin, deputy director of the Industrial Development Department of the State Planning and Development Commission, who headed the Chinese delegation from the second through the last rounds of negotiation. "It would be preferable to reach a mild agreement rather than a radical but unacceptable one." As the original, tougher tobacco control measures were gradually softened; the final agreement seemed to withdraw its claws. Regardless, though it is still too early to remark on its worldwide influence, Dr. Brundtland's goal of a "shackle on tobacco" has come true.
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