[Federal Register: August 28, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 167)]
[Notices]
[Page 55264-55265]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au02-110]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Public Meeting/Opportunity for Public Comment: Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science/Office of Global Health
Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is
soliciting comments on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(FCTC), a proposed international legal instrument intended to address
the global problem of tobacco use. Individuals and organizations are
encouraged to comment on the FCTC in one or both of the following ways:
(1) In writing, by submission through the mails, or e-mail; (2) in
person, at a public meeting that will be convened in Nashville, TN.
DATES: Written comments may be submitted until September 27, 2002.
Comments can be submitted by mail or electronically (electronic
submissions are encouraged).
ADDRESSES: To submit electronic comments, send via e-mail to
FCTC.OGHA@osophs.dhhs.gov. To submit comments by mail, send to: FCTC
Comments (Attn: Ms. Gail Zaslow), Office of Global Health Affairs, 5600
Fishers Lane, Room 18-105, Rockville, MD 20857.
The public meeting will be held on September 20, 2002, from 9:15
a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street,
Nashville, TN 37219. Seating capacity is 125 people. Comments also will
be accepted during the public meeting. Those who wish to attend are
encouraged to register early with the contact person listed below. If
you will require a sign language interpreter, or have other special
needs, please notify the contact person by 4:30 E.D.T. on September 5,
2002.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Joy Epstein, Office of Global
Health Affairs, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-105, Rockville, MD 20857,
301-443-
[[Page 55265]]
1774 (telephone) or 301-443-6822 (facsimile) or
FCTC.OGHA@osophs.dhhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 1999, the World Health Assembly, the
governing body of the World Health Organization, unanimously adopted
resolution WHA 52.18 calling for negotiation of a Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control support (FCTC). The United States joined other
countries in voicing support for negotiation of the convention, which
is intended to address the global problem of tobacco use. Following two
meetings of an FCTC working group held in Geneva in October 1999 and
March 2000, an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established
to negotiate the text of the FCTC and related protocols. Four meetings
of the INB have been conducted, in October 2000, April and November
2001, and March 2002. A negotiating team headed by staff of the Office
of Global Health Affairs (DHHS) represented the United States. Other
members of the negotiating team represented HHS, the Departments of
State, Treasury, Justice, Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade
Representative. An interagency working group developed the guidance for
the negotiating team.
The fifth INB session is scheduled for October 14-25, 2002.
(Background documents on the FCTC are available on the World Health
Organization's Web site at http://tobacco.who.int/en/fctc/index.html.)
Written Comments: In preparation for the fifth INB session, the
U.S. negotiating delegation is seeking comments from the public on the
FCTC. A new draft of the FCTC was released by the chairman of the INB
on July 16, 2002. It is available at http://www.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/
inb5/einb52.doc. Comments should be based on this version of the draft
convention.
Announcement of Meeting: The U.S. Government is seeking to
understand the perspectives of various organizations and individuals on
the FCTC. The comment period and public meeting are intended to give
interested persons, including public health and medical professionals,
state and local officials, farmers, retailers, manufacturers, and
others an opportunity to comment on the FCTC. Respondents to this
notice will have the opportunity to speak to representatives of the
government.
Meeting Location and Registration: The public meeting will be held
on September 20, 2002, from 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nashville Public
Library, 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219.
If you would like to attend the public meeting, you are encouraged
to register early by providing your name, title, firm name, address,
and telephone number to Gail Zaslow (contact information above). The
U.S. Government encourages individuals to submit written comments,
either electronically or by mail. Comments also will be accepted during
the meeting. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please notify
Gail Zaslow (address above) when you register.
The transcript of the public meeting and submitted comments will be
posted on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/
framework.htm.
Dated: August 21, 2002.
William R. Steiger,
Special Assistant to the Secretary for International Affairs and
Director, Office of Global Health Affairs.
[FR Doc. 02-21842 Filed 8-27-02; 8:45 am]
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