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WHO praises China's decision to sign anti-smoking convention
( 2003-11-21 21:37) (Xinhua)

A World Health Organization (WHO) regional official on Friday praised China's decision earlier this month to sign the global anti-smoking treaty designed to reduce the devastating health and economic impact of cigarette smoking.

Shigeru Omi, WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific, described China's decision as "a notable achievement and an important commitment from a country struggling with an enormous burden of death and disease caused by tobacco use."

In a statement released by the WHO regional office in Manila, Omi said China is among 11 countries in the Western Pacific to have signed the treaty, a first step to ratification.

"The next step is for China to ratify the Convention as soon as possible, and move towards effective implementation," he said.

The legally binding treaty, the world's first on public health, was passed by the WHO general assembly in May after nearly four years of negotiations.

The treaty imposes comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, bans the use of misleading terms such as "light" and "mild" cigarettes, raises tobacco taxes, and protects non-smokers from exposure to tobacco use in the workplace and public places.

Worldwide, 77 countries have signed, and five - Fiji, Malta, Norway, the Marshall Islands, Seychelles and Sri Lanka - have ratified the convention, the statement said.

 
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