同传 E-C

　　Passage 1 世卫组织控烟

　　Chair,Secretary of State for Health and Human Services, Colleagues and Friends,

　　It is a great pleasure for me to be with you all here today.We gather with a sense of optimism. Firstly, because overall smoking figures are showing positive trends in the U.S. and in other industrialized countries; secondly, because the situation and terms of the fight against tobacco have changed dramatically. //

　　The battle has been underway for over 50 years. The first big change occurred thirty six years ago, when Luther Terry introduced his landmark Surgeon General report. The damaging health effects of tobacco were clearly stated1. Tobacco gives rise to cancer. Tobacco kills. This became the foundation for policies to curb the tobacco epidemic in a number of countries around the world2. //

　　The second big change took place in the last three years. Through a number of court verdicts and inquiries, another fundamental principle has emerged. Tobacco companies should be accountable for the harm caused by tobacco use. This principle will guide policy and public opinion in the future. It is also a principle which the tobacco companies will have to consider when they plan their future strategies.//

　　Unfortunately, optimism about progress is not universal3. Anyone who believes that we are winning the battle against tobacco should take a look at the global figures.What they will see is an emerging epidemic. As we have already heard, worldwide mortality from tobacco is likely to rise from about 4 million deaths a year in 1998 to about 10 million a year in 2030. In public health terms, this is comparable to the HIV epidemic. Over 70 percent of the deaths will be in the developing world. //

　　The implications are obvious4. Tobacco is not only a human tragedy. Tobacco also burdens our health systems. It costs taxpayers money. It hampers the productivity of our economies. We have seen this happening in the U.S. and in Europe. But now, these burdens are hitting developing countries, countries which need all their resources to build their social and physical infrastructure. They have no money to spend on the unnecessary costs of a man-made epidemic. //

　　Yet, the picture is far from bleak. Globally, we have seen a sea-change over the past few years. A groundswell of local, national and global actions is moving the public health agenda ahead. This is occurring through the development of innovative partnerships, networks and alliances. //

　　Two months ago, I watched as 10,000 health volunteers gathered in Bangkok to mark this year’s World No Tobacco Day.World No Tobacco Day is now both a process and an event. The process of getting ready for the event in May builds capacity in the international public health community to raise the quality of the global debate on tobacco control. //

　　“Tobacco kills – Don’t be Duped’’ was this year’s theme with a special focus on tobacco advertising and promotion in films, music and sports. It allowed the world to get a better picture of tobacco-industry backed duping of science, public health and government policy packaged as freedom and fun. //

　　On the same day, here in the U.S., the Surgeon General co-hosted a meeting with Reverend Jesse Brown in Philadelphia to highlight the way in which tobacco advertisements target minority groups. //

　　In Lebanon, the First Lady urged action against tobacco promotion and advertising.The Brazilian Minister of Health launched a massive multi-media campaign and announced increased excise taxes on tobacco products.//

　　The South African Health Minister announced that cigarette sales would be regulated, free distribution of cigarettes would be prohibited, and that all advertising would be banned5. The laws came into effect last month. //

　　In Canada, the Health Minister used World No Tobacco Day to unveil new cigarette packaging. The labels show, as many of you know, in graphic detail, the effects of smoking -- not only in the lungs, but also oral cancer, gum disease and clogged arteries6. //

　　Here in the USA, Eric Karros, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, joined a high school rally against tobacco promotion. He unveiled a public service advertisement featuring himself and other baseball players from the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians etc., talking about the importance of staying tobacco-free. Smoke-Free Soccer is another campaign gathering momentum.These are not one-off events. They are examples of a growing global movement that demands tobacco-free policies to be the norm. And we see results. //

　　On the World No Tobacco Day, David Byrne, European Union Commissioner for Health, called for strong support for new European Community regulations aimed at tobacco products. In June, the European Parliament voted for a range of tough new measures: warnings that cover 50% of the space on cigarette packs; removal of misleading information such as ‘low tar’ ‘mild’ and ‘light’; and reductions in tar and nicotine7.//

　　In many countries, all over the world, grass roots activities are inspiring governments to take action. That action centers on a few well-tested and effective measures: increased prices, a total ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, strong counter-advertising, better access to quitting methods, smoke-free areas and controls on smuggling8. This prescription is also the basis for the advice to developing countries that is contained in the latest World Bank/WHO book which will be released Wednesday. It shows that increased tobacco taxation both reduces smoking rates and increases revenue.9 That is really good news, and a finding governments around the world need to take on board.//

　　WHO has taken on a key role in this global effort. The reason for this is clear. As the World’s Specialized Health Agency, we are charged with working towards the best health achievable for all. Our main priority is to promote health equity, and so contribute to the well-being of all the world’s people. We fight infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. But to fulfill our mandate we must also go all out to reduce the terrible toll of tobacco. //

　　All the global work, be it by NGOs, by governments, by the private sector or by international organizations, is pointing in one direction. Its logical conclusion is what now will take shape as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the first international treaty on public health ever proposed by the World Health Organization. It has been endorsed by the 192 member nations of the WHO. Drafting of the treaty by the member states will start this October. //

　　Like the Convention to ban land mines, the Tobacco convention also seeks to stop a killer. The treaty will provide an international framework to address both national health policies and to control the global reach of big tobacco. It will set standard that countries can adopt to control advertising, prevent smuggling and facilitate the global exchange of knowledge. //

　　Of course, adopting the Framework Convention will not be easy in some countries. The talents and dedication of the people in this room today are essential to this fight for better health. I ask you all to join me on this to become partners with me and the World Health Organization on this vital journey toward better health for all the people, everywhere! //

　　Let us all work together to change the scene for coming generations. I sense that when we meet again, in three years time, there will be real progress.We will have an effective Framework Convention.We will have seen the effective implementation of anti-tobacco policies by at least 100 countries. And, in several of these countries, there will be significant reductions in tobacco use--particularly among the young.Thank you. //