Commentary: Lessons from Tobacco Control for the Obesity Control Movement

Abstract

HE paper by Yach et al. in this issue celebrates WHO's T extraordinary accomplishment in fostering the development and adoption by the World Health Assembly of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control P c) (FCTC) and investigates the possibility of applying *'5M policies and mechanisms similar to those in the FCTC to the developing epidemic of obesity. The FCTC requires parties to adopt strong measures in a number of areas, including protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke; requiring manufacturers to disclose the contents and emissions of tobacco products and to place large health warnings on the packages; restricting and, if constitutionally permissible, banning all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; impeding smuggling; and banning tobacco product sales to minors. In addition, the FCTC urges parties to consider tax increases to reduce demand; banning deceptive or misleading terms such as "low tar," "light," and "mild;" including pictures or pictograms on the mandated package warnings; enacting legislation or applying existing laws to "deal with criminal and civil liability, including compensation where appropriate;" and generally to exceed the minimum requirements of the treaty so as to best control the spread of tobacco-related addiction, disease, and death.