Euro-MP Calls For United Front To Take On Tobacco Industry

3.05.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 31st May 2005

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne, who has long campaigned to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking, said that it was time for the international community to unite against the tobacco industry.

Earlier this year the long awaited World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control came into force. The treaty has now been signed by 168 countries, and ratified by 57 of them, which means these countries will now have to tighten their anti-tobacco laws.

Liz Lynne said:

"Every year five million people die worldwide from smoking-related diseases. This is set to double by 2020 if nothing is done. The only major country yet to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the USA. Tony Blair must put pressure on George Bush at the G8 summit to take on the Tobacco industry and ratify the convention.

"In contrast to the USA, the European Union has been at the forefront of bringing in legislation to meet the requirements of the Treaty. EU countries now have laws that restrict tobacco advertising and force companies to include better health warnings, which now have to occupy at least 30% of the packet.

"Despite this Tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of death and disability among adults in Europe today. No Smoking Day, and World No Tobacco Day are often effective at highlighting the problem and getting people to stop. When the initial publicity and enthusiasm disappears though, smokers often go back to their original lifestyle. That is why Governments also need to provide sustained programmes that offer support and follow up."

ENDS