Health group urges restrict flavored cigarettes

22.11.2010 [14:11]
Print
A⁺ A^-

Baku, November 22 (AZERTAC). In a major blow to the tobacco industry, public health officials from around the world agreed Saturday to recommend restricting or banning flavor additives that make cigarettes more attractive to new smokers.

Delegates from 172 countries that have signed on to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty also agreed to recommend that tobacco producers be required to disclose their ingredients to health authorities.

The tobacco industry lobbied hard against the guidelines, saying that millions of jobs would be lost and economies ruined if countries follow through.

"There was a lot of campaigning against these guidelines. It's a major achievement because countries really showed unity and showed they are putting public health policies as a priority before the interests of the industry," convention spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told The Associated Press. "If these guidelines are implemented, this could lead to a certain decrease of new smokers _ fewer young people getting hooked."

Developing detailed guidelines for how governments should regulate aromatic and flavor additives that make otherwise harsh-tasting cigarettes more palatable has been a major goal since the treaty went into effect five years ago. Articles 9 and 10 now provide a road map any country can use to establish its own regulations.

The United States, which has signed but not ratified the convention, is among several countries that already regulate these additives. Canada, France and Australia also do it, Jasarevic said. "It can be done in different ways: Either make a list of ingredients that are banned, or require that tobacco companies obtain a license for any new additive," he said.

Health group urges restrict flavored cigarettes

FEEDBACK