U.S.Signs GlobalTobacco Treaty 1 The United States has taken the first step toward approving aglobal tobacco treaty that promises to help control the deadly effects of

tobacco usethroughout the world.Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson,signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(FCTC)this week at the

United Nations.TheSenate must still approve the treaty before the U.S.can implement itsprovisions.

2 The FCTC wasdeveloped by the World Health Organization and approved by members of the WorldHealth Assembly,including the United States,last year.Countries that

ratify it would berequired to enact strict tobacco control policies.

3 Forinstance,cigarettes sold in those countries would have to have health warningson at least 30% of the front and back of every pack.The treaty calls for highertobacco

taxes,restrictionson smoking in public places,and more promotion of tobacco prevention andcessation programs.It also requires bans on tobacco advertising,though thereare

some exceptions forcountries like the United States,where the Constitution prohibits suchan outright ban.

4 The impact of thetreaty could be huge.The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco usekills nearly 5 million people worldwide every year.In the U.S.alone,about

440,000 people dieeach year from tobacco-related illnesses;about one-third of all cancers in theU.S.are caused by tobacco use.If current trends continue,WHO estimates,by

2025 tobacco willkill 10 million people each year.

5 The treaty must beratified by at least 40 countries before it can take effect.So far,109countries have signed it,and 1 2 have ratified it.Countries thatratify the FCTC will have to,among other things,______.

A.have ratified it

B.approving it

C.implement itsprovisions

D.restrict smokingin public places

E.caused by tobaccouse