Pelosi Statement on Framework Convention of International Tobacco Control Becoming International Law
Pelosi Statement on Framework Convention of International Tobacco Control Becoming International Law
February 28, 2005
Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which became international law yesterday:
"Although the United States has signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, President Bush still has not submitted the treaty to the Senate for ratification. This failure of leadership by the Bush Administration has put the agenda of Big Tobacco companies ahead of public health.
"The United States is the world's number one exporter of cigarettes -- U.S. companies supply nearly 6 trillion cigarettes, or one-fifth of all the cigarettes smoked around the world. That means we also have a responsibility to export the public health tools that are appropriate in our own country, including health warning labels, education campaigns, and limits on tobacco promotion.
"The ?Marlboro Man? is simply not a suitable ambassador for the United States. We can and must set a better example, and we should begin by ratifying the tobacco control convention."