The Global Tobacco Threat

The Global Tobacco Threat
The New York Times, pg A26
February 19, 2008
This article begins with the fact; "Three years ago, an international treaty took effect that was designed to help developing countries resist aggressive marketing by big tobacco companies." The countries that signed this treaty were not supposed to allow advertising, marketing or sponsorship of tobacco. The theory behind this was that if there was less advertising of tobacco, then there would be less people that use tobacco. This theory proved true in the wealthier countries that followed through with this treaty. The tobacco use indeed declined in wealthier countries. However, governments of low- and middle-income countries have not followed through because they have become addicted to the money from the tobacco taxes. The lower-income countries do not realize that if they do not lower the use of tobacco in their countries, then there will be huge health and economic damage in the future. A report from the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) states that tobacco will kill more people this year than tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria combined. The W.H.O. recommended strategies to lower tobacco use in countries: very high taxes on tobacco products; a total ban on all advertising and promotion; a ban on smoking in all public spaces and workplaces; large, scary warning pictures on packs; and strong programs to help people quit. The author writes that not a single country fully implements all of the measures. The Bush administration, reluctantly signed the international treaty, has not submitted it to the senate for ratification. The author wants people to follow the treaty and use the stratigies suggested by the W.H.O..
I liked this article. The author showed that there was indeed a problem, but none of the countries wanted to fix the problem. There is a solution to this problem, but the countries have different priorities.