Waxman Critical of President’s Tobacco Stance

On the eve of a major international conference designed to address the sharp rise in smoking, a California congressman accused the Bush administration Sunday of marching in lock-step with Big Tobacco to undermine or eliminate serious global regulations to curb tobacco use.

The remarks by Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles) came as the third round of negotiations in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Geneva are set to begin Thursday. The FCTC, with delegates from 191 nations, is scheduled to resume discussions about potential controls on everything from tobacco exports to taxes, advertising and terminology.

Waxman, the ranking minority member on the House Government Reform Committee and one of President Bush’s leading antagonists on tobacco and other health-related issues, accused administration negotiators of doing everything they could to prevent strong global standards.

“It’s either an eye-popping coincidence or a testament to the insidious influence that Philip Morris has on the Bush administration,” Waxman said in a statement accompanying a letter to Bush. “The president’s negotiators promoted 10 of the 11 deletions requested by Philip Morris.... The appearance is awful.... The president should instruct his delegation to put public health ahead of the interests of Philip Morris.”

The global framework convention dates back to May 1999, when the World Health Organization paved the way for international negotiations on a set of rules and regulations addressing the sharp rise of tobacco use worldwide. The health organization, which has called tobacco use epidemic, estimates that tobacco causes an estimated 4.2 million deaths annually. As envisioned by supporters, the framework can and should set strong standards designed to curb tobacco use.

Bush could not be reached for comment on Waxman’s letter. A White House press spokesman said that “in general, the U.S. has been a world leader in efforts to control tobacco use--particularly when it comes to teen smoking.”

Repeated efforts to obtain comments from Philip Morris representatives were unsuccessful. But a statement about the health organization’s framework on the company’s Web site said, “We do not agree ... that tobacco use is an ‘epidemic,’ and are concerned that certain proposals by WHO fail to recognize tobacco consumption as a legitimate choice that adults should be free to make.”

Supporters of a strong international anti-smoking treaty said the tenor of the U.S.’ stance has changed since Bush took office.

“At the last negotiating session when the Bush people took over, I was struck by how dramatic the changes were in position,” said Judy Wilkenfeld, director of international programs for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids in Washington. “Bush appeared to be ... taking postures more in line with what the tobacco industry wants, so we’re not surprised.”

“Right on down the line, the Bush people either opposed strong positions or moved to delete provisions you need to have to have effective tobacco control.”

Waxman has been a caustic critic of the tobacco industry longer than nearly anyone else in Congress and has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of public health and tobacco control officials who have urged Congress and the White House to take action against smoking-related disease.

Waxman’s 12-page letter ticked off a list of examples in which he claimed Bush administration negotiators took the same stance as Philip Morris or differed just slightly:

* Tobacco exports: A draft of the FCTC would require tobacco firms to abide by the laws of their home countries when producing exports for the developing world. Waxman said that Philip Morris documents showed that the company wanted this eliminated, and that Bush negotiators proposed an amendment to eliminate it.

* Tobacco taxes: Waxman said that Philip Morris opposes “burdensome” taxes and that Bush negotiators proposed that all tobacco taxes be voluntary.

* Tobacco terminology: The FCTC draft proposed restricting terms such as “light” and “low tar” because they are based on flawed and misleading research. Again, said Waxman, Philip Morris objected and Bush negotiators proposed eliminating the restriction.

* Tobacco advertising: Waxman said Philip Morris has objected to a draft of the treaty that would require companies to disclose all public expenditures related to advertising and promotion. The Bush administration, Waxman said, has proposed the disclosure of only “aggregate” expenses.

* Regulations: The draft would authorize the World Health Organization to develop standards for testing and measuring, designing, manufacturing and processing tobacco products. Philip Morris has opposed mandatory standards, and the Bush administration has proposed requiring that all specific standards be established by individual governments.

* Duty-free sales: The draft treaty would eliminate duty-free sales, which make smuggling easier and allow travelers access to tobacco at low prices, according to smoking control advocates. Both Philip Morris and the Bush administration want them preserved, Waxman said.