WHO conference on tobacco opens in Johannesburg

A World Health Organisation (WHO) conference began in Johannesburg on Monday to discuss the draft of a global treaty for tobacco control, agencies reported. The treaty is expected to guide UN member states in framing policy and developing legislation for effective tobacco control. The meeting will deal with issues of advertising and sponsorships by tobacco companies, pricing and taxation policy, smoke-free public places and smuggling of tobacco products.

The African conference on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control follows a resolution adopted at the World Health Assembly in May 1999 which mandated the WHO to work on drafting an international convention that would guide and promote more effective tobacco control in the world.

South Africa, which was nominated as chair for the African region, presented the first draft on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to WHO member countries in Geneva last year. Last year the South African government launched a nationwide campaign to ban smoking in public places. The Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act is aimed at limiting tobacco advertising, protecting the rights and health of non-smokers and banning sports sponsorship by tobacco companies.