Global Tobacco Accord

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an international agreement negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization. The goal of the treaty is to serve as a mechanism for international cooperation to reduce tobacco consumption and curb the vast toll of death and disability caused by tobacco products.

Latest News

Global Tobacco Accord Needed to Combat International Cigarette Smuggling

Citing a new GAO report, Rep. Waxman urges the President to address the growing threat of cigarette smuggling by making ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control an urgent priority.

Administration Isolates the U.S. in International Tobacco Control Efforts

In a letter to the President, Rep. Waxman expresses concern about the Administration's continuing attempts to weaken the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including the Administration's recent opposition to international efforts to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to children.

U.S. Lobbies Countries on Tobacco Trade

Rep. Waxman, Sen. Durbin, and Rep. Doggett write President Bush to protest a confidential U.S. communiqué to Saudi Arabia that asks for Saudi support in weakening the global tobacco treaty. The letter also discloses an internal Philip Morris analysis that says that even Philip Morris is "to the left" of the Bush Administration on the international agreement.

Administration Promotes Tobacco Products Abroad

The World Health Organization has estimated that 4.9 million people will die this year from diseases caused by tobacco products, a massive death toll that will soon eclipse that of any single disease. Instead of leading international efforts to reduce tobacco use, the Bush Administration has taken a string of actions to promote the sale of U.S. cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products abroad.

Midnight Trade Deal Ends Tariffs on U.S. Cigarettes Sold in Chile

Rep. Waxman and Rep. Doggett call for a full investigation into a midnight trade deal by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick that will phase out tariffs on U.S. cigarettes sold in Chile, an abandonment of the Administration’s previously stated position that cigarettes would not be included in the trade negotiations.

Administration Holding Weak Positions on Tobacco Treaty

Writing in the March 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Rep. Waxman outlines deficiencies in U.S. negotiating positions on the global tobacco treaty, including weak positions on on tobacco taxes, advertising and promotion, labeling, trade, and passive smoking restrictions. He concludes, "We know more about the harm of tobacco consumption and effective ways to reduce this harm than about perhaps any other major cause of human suffering. That knowledge -- not political influence or campaign contributions -- should guide U.S. actions in these crucial public health negotiations." (Article not available online.)

U.S. Positions at Third Treaty Session Detailed

Rep. Waxman released a description of selected positions taken by the United States at the third negotiating session on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in November 2001.

U.S. Negotiators Promoted Philip Morris's Changes to Global Tobacco Treaty

Rep. Waxman sent a letter to President Bush revealing that U.S. negotiators promoted 10 of 11 deletions to a global tobacco treaty urged by Philip Morris, the nation's largest cigarette manufacturer.

Administration Seeks to Weaken Global Tobacco Accord

Rep. Waxman wrote a letter to President Bush protesting the actions of the U.S. delegation at the most recent negotiating session of the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The letter, which is based on previously unreleased minutes of the meetings, reveals how the United States has tried to weaken or eliminate key provisions of the treaty related to tobacco labeling, advertising, exports, and other issues.

The Textual Proposals

The Provisional Summary Records (Minutes)

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