News Release
2003-56
July 15, 2003
Canada signs Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
NEW YORK - The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health today signed
the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first ever global public health
treaty, at a ceremony held at the United Nations in New York. Canada now joins a growing
number of member countries of the World Health Organization who have committed to protect
present and future generations from the health and economic consequences of tobacco consumption
and exposure to tobacco smoke.
"The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is a turning point in global public health
and will strengthen our response to the devastating effects of tobacco consumption here
in Canada and around the world," said Minister McLellan. She noted that globally, tobacco
use is the leading cause of preventable illness, disability and premature death, and that
if left unchecked, smoking-related deaths are likely to kill a total of about 500 million
people by the year 2030. More than 45,000 Canadians die each year from smoking.
"This is an excellent example of how Canada, working closely with others through the multilateral
system, can share its expertise and leadership to curb a global health threat," said Foreign
Affairs Minister Bill Graham. "Canada is proud to sign this important treaty."
Minister McLellan was accompanied at the signing ceremony by Dr. Elinor Wilson, the non-governmental
representative on the Canadian delegation for the FCTC, and Dr. Patricia Petryshen, Chair
of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Tobacco Control. Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst,Canadian
Cancer Society, also attended the signing ceremony.
The FCTC was adopted by member countries of the World Health Organization at the World
Health Assembly, May 21, 2003, following almost three years of negotiations. Canada played
a key role in the development of the FCTC and is proud that its leadership during the negotiations
and pioneering measures over the past thirty years on tobacco control allowed it to influence
and shape this first ever global public health treaty. In fact, many of the elements of
the FCTC are also key aspects of Canada's domestic initiatives in tobacco control, particularly
in areas dealing with packaging and labelling, advertising and public education programs.
The Convention will come into force ninety days following ratification of the Convention
by 40 countries.
Canada fully supports the FCTC because it is consistent with and advances Canada's domestic
efforts, which are guided by the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy. The Strategy includes
a combination of tobacco control efforts in protection, prevention and cessation and harm
reduction initiatives, including sustained mass media campaign support for the strategy's
objectives.
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Media Inquiries:
Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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