Uganda Barred From World Tobacco Meeting

Source from:  By Agnes Asiimwe KAMPALA  11/17/2005

Because of its failure to ratify the world's first global public health treaty - the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Uganda is not invited to participate when 110 countries meet in Geneva, Switzerland in February 2006 to make major decisions on tobacco control. Uganda failed to beat the November 8 deadline to submit the instrument of ratification. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) came into force on February 27, 2005 and is said to be one of the most rapidly embraced treaties in the history of the United Nations. The treaty aims to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco. Through comprehensive tobacco advertising bans, price and tax increases, health warning labels on tobacco products and measures to protect people from second hand smoke, among other tobacco control strategies. Uganda signed the FCTC in March 2005,but did not ratify the treaty. "Until it ratifies the treaty, Uganda will not have a voice as decisions are made regarding implementation. Enditem