This week the American Lung Association joins nongovernmental groups in more than 40 nations for an International Week of Resistance to Tobacco Transnationals. The goal is to increase momentum for a tough international treaty to curtail the globalization of tobacco addiction, disease and death. Local Lung Associations from California to Delaware will participate in the Week of Resistance by enacting board resolutions calling for a strong global treaty, issuing press statements and writing letters to editors of local newspapers. Elsewhere in the world, activities are planned in such diverse places as Vietnam, Honduras, Nigeria and Ukraine. Among those testifying will be Alfred Munzer, M.D., former president of the American Lung Association.
Tobacco addiction means death and disease for kids everywhere, from America to Armenia.
This tragedy is fueled by tobacco transnationals, led by U.S.-based Philip Morris. Representatives of the tobacco industry also will testify in Geneva. If that happens, we will end up with a weak, non-binding treaty filled with loopholes the industry can use to continue addicting our children. We can stop the burgeoning, global tobacco pandemic by creating a treaty with specific obligations and strong enforcement. With the generous support of the public and the help of volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease.