The treaty will change the way giant tobacco corporations operate
around the world and set an international precedent for prioritizing public
health over commercial interests.
While the Bush Administration signed the FCTC in May 2004, the US is
notably absent from the list of countries that have ratified the treaty.
Throughout the treaty process , the Network for Accountability of Tobacco
Transnationals (NATT) and other NGOs encouraged, prodded and pressured
countries to stand firm in the face of Big Tobacco's enormous political and
economic clout.
"This treaty will save millions of lives, change the way giant tobacco
corporations operate, and set an international precedent for prioritizing
health over the interests of Big Business ," says Kathryn Mulvey, Executive
Director of Corporate Accountability International (formerly Infact ).306.''
Despite a 95% reduction in measles deaths in the Region since the pre-
vaccine era , measles remains a leading cau se of death among young children. Measles elimination makes it essential for health services to
reach, and keep reaching, every community.

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Across the globe, corporate accountability and health advocates are
marking this historic milestone with public events, and calling on their
governments to ratify and implement the treaty.newscom.
"We think that a target date of 2012 will help to mobilize these.

Background Information on Measles

What is measles?
-- Measles is caused by a virus (Paromyxovirus family).

The Regional categories to which Society/Government/Embassies_and_Consulates @links contain the websites of embassies , High Commissions, consulates, permanent missions and their de facto equivalents.

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Despite Years of Intense Industry Lobbying, Tobacco Treaty Becomes
International Law Sunday , February 27th

Once Again Out of Step with International Community, US Has Not Ratified
Landmark Agreement

GENEVA, Only 11 days after the Kyoto Protocol 's
entry into force, the groundbreaking global tobacco treaty known as the
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will take effect on February
27, 2005.
"This treaty will save millions of lives," says Kathryn Mulvey, Executive
Director of Corporate Accountability International (formerly Infact).
With millions of lives at stake, we urge countries that have not yet ratified
to do so without delay, particularly those that took the lead during treaty
negotiations," says Akinbode Oluwafemi of Environmental Rights Action,
Nigeria. The Network for Accountability of
Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes more than 100 NGOs from over 50
countries working for a strong, enforceable FCTC .5000

"It is unacceptable that children are dying from measles, a disease that
can be easily prevented by an effective, safe and inexpensive vaccine," said
Dr Omi.
-- The characteristic rash (raised red blotches) usually appears 14 days
after infection; it spreads from the head to the trunk and then the
limbs over 3 to 4 days. Those
cases that do not die are often left with permanent brain damage.
-- It is one of the most infectious viruses.
-- A second dose of vaccine is recommended for all children to protect
those who were not protected by the first.

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"It
demonstrates that working together, the nations of the world can protect
people from irresponsible and dangerous corporate practices. Reaching and protecting these children
is not just a disease control issue; it is also about fairness and justice.
-- On average, one case infects 15-20 other cases in a population with no
immunity.

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BAT lobbied the parliamentarians to
water down key provisions of the Tobacco Control Bill currently under
consideration in Kenya, which has ratified the FCTC.306. Mobilizing sufficient political and financial support to achieve
the elimination goal will be a key consideration.
-- Symptoms usually start 10-12 days after infection.
-- Current status of measles control in the Western Pacific Region.
-- Measles has already been eliminated from a significant number of
countries.
-- Improve surveillance to detect all suspected cases of measles. Measles elimination is an
issue of justice and fairness.who.

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Many more
ratifications are expected in coming months. This means that health services need to reach every community,
especially the most disadvantaged that are at highest risk of disease and its
consequences.
-- Live virus vaccine: attenuated (weakened) form of the natural ('wild')
measles virus. Therefore, data on measles that is only
based on reported cases is unreliable.

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As the global community takes significant
steps to protect people's lives, public interest organizations are urging
countries that have not yet ratified , including the US, to do so. Many more ratifications are expected in the
coming months.
' 'We want to eliminate measles as soon as possible,'' said Dr Shigeru Omi,
WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, ''but we have to realize that
progress across the Region varies and some countries are further advanced than
others."

* The 37 countries and areas comprising the WHO Western Pacific Region
are: American Samoa, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook
Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong (China), Japan,
Kiribati, the Lao People 's Democratic Republic, Macao (China), Malaysia,
the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia,
Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the
Pitcairn Islands , the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon
Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu , Viet Nam, and Wallis and
Futuna.

Complications of measles
-- The risk of developing complications varies, being much higher in
developing countries, especially in under-nourished cases.
-- Mortality rates can be as high as 2-15% in developing countries.
-- Infection with the vaccine virus generates life-long immunity without
causing the illness or complications of natural measles.
-- Every country in the world uses measles vaccine in their immunization
programme.
-- Cambodia was the last country in the Region to add measles vaccine to
its programme -- in 1986.

Measles elimination
-- Elimination does not mean zero cases -- because importations and some
spread from these are inevitable.

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The 57 countries that have ratified the FCTC are: Armenia, Australia,
Bangladesh , Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands,
Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany , Ghana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland,
India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Madagascar , Maldives,
Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Peru, Qatar, San
Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore , Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri
Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United
Kingdom, Uruguay and Viet Nam.76.5000

Government Officials and Health Advocates Overcome Years of Tobacco Industry
Lobbying and Interference

On Historic Occasion, NGOs Call on Bush Administration to Act on Treaty
and Join Global Community

GENEVA, At a ceremony organized by the World
Health Organization (WHO), government officials and health advocates gather in
Geneva today to celebrate the global tobacco treaty's entry into force.
The US has a long history of signing but not ratifying international
humanitarian agreements. The challenge is for the rest of the world to catch up.

Measles vaccine efficacy
-- A single dose of vaccine, given in ideal conditions, protects about
85% of children if given at the age of 9 months; about 90% at the age
of 12 months.int

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Relying on organizing techniques including International Weeks
of Resistance to Tobacco Transnationals, Marlboro Man Awards, and the release
of a number of reports, NATT has played a key role in exposing and challenging
the attempts of giant tobacco corporations and their political allies in
wealthy countries to derail the FCTC.org. For more information visit http://www . The Technical Advisory Group will
consider whether 2012 is a feasible date for the Region to achieve measles
elimination.
It also leaves at least as many with life-long disabilities like blindness ,
deafness and brain damage.

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As both the global tobacco treaty and the Kyoto Protocol
take effect with the US on the sidelines, we are calling on our government to
join with the global community in prioritizing people's lives over the profits
of giant corporations," says Mulvey. As the treaty takes effect, NATT will
continue to watchdog the tobacco industry's interference and support countries
in ratifying and implementing the FCTC.

Measles Elimination in the Western Pacific Region

BEIJING and MANILA, Philippines, June 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Measles:
normal childhood illness or killer disease? Actually, it is both but it could
soon be neither.
-- This means that once elimination is achieved, it must be maintained by
keeping practically every person immune to measles .

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"This is a historic moment in the movement challenging irresponsible and
dangerous corporate actions around the world.stopcorporateabuse.617.2525

David Lerner/Riptide Communications
212."
Because measles is one of the most infectious viruses, practically every
child needs to be immunized with two doses of measles vaccine to stop its
spread.
-- Spread is from person-to-person by direct contact or through airborne
spread.

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Corporate Accountability International,
an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played
a key role in development of the FCTC.3476 / 1. For over 25
years, we've forced corporations-like Nestle , General Electric and Philip
Morris/Altria-to stop abusive actions.

Contacts:
Patti Lynn
Mobile phone in Geneva: +41.
Routine immunization services are a fundamental public health requirement.
-- Two doses will protect about 99%.
-- Measles control continues to improve with more countries and areas
achieving very low levels of measles circulation; some have already
achieved elimination.
-- Addressing that challenge, and providing regular immunization services
for the disadvantaged population can provide the foundation for
delivering other life-saving interventions and building regular health
services .

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Countries like Kenya and
must be vigilant in protecting their health policies from tobacco industry
interference, in accordance with the treaty's obligations.

Contacts:
Kathryn Mulvey
Cell phones in Geneva:
41.

Global Tobacco Treaty Takes Effect

Throughout negotiations , the US
took positions that would benefit tobacco giants like Philip Morris/Altria.com/cgi-bin/prnh /20040610/CNTH001LOGO )
That is the key question to be debated by immunization experts at a WHO
meeting in Beijing from 8 to 10 June.
But measles elimination has to compete for attention and funding with many
other development issues in the Region.
-- After recovery there is life-long immunity.
-- May cause encephalitis in less than 1 per million doses - not certain .

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The Consumer Information
Network, a NATT member in Kenya, recently helped expose BAT's sponsorship of a
beach holiday for members of Parliament. About 30,000 children die each year from measles
in the Region, nearly all of them in five countries: Cambodia, China, the Lao
People's Democratic Republic , Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. "The children who die from measles are generally the most
disadvantaged children in the Region.
-- The high coverage requirement for measles elimination, and the need to
achieve that high coverage routinely for every birth cohort is
challenging .

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Throughout the FCTC negotiating process, the US government consistently took
positions that would dilute the treaty at the expense of people's lives around
the world.
The 57 countries that have ratified the FCTC are: Armenia, Australia,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cook Islands,
Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland ,
India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Madagascar, Maldives,
Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan , Palau, Panama, Peru, Qatar, San
Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands , Spain, Sri
Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United
Kingdom , Uruguay and Viet Nam.260.
Can the Western Pacific Region* eliminate measles within the next seven
years?
(Logo: http://www.
-- Measles remains relatively common in several countries:
-- Cambodia -- Lao People's Democratic Republic
-- China -- Papua New Guinea
-- Japan -- Philippines

Burden of measles in the Western Pacific Region
-- Measles cases and deaths are under-reported, especially in the areas
with the highest burden.
-- As well as the indirect benefits, measles elimination will be of
greatest benefit to disadvantaged populations as they are the ones
that have the greatest disease burden.

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Formally known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the
treaty took effect yesterday, 27 February 2005. Corporate Accountability International ,
an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played
a key role in development of the FCTC.76.0920

David Lerner/Riptide Communications
+1.

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First Global Public Health Treaty to Take Effect

260. Members of the Network for
Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) in more than 15 countries
around the world, including Colombia, El Salvador, Ghana, Kenya , Mauritius,
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the US, are generating momentum behind the treaty as
it becomes international law.

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"February 2005 is a landmark month for international cooperation on
critical issues of protecting people and our natural resources, and the US is
missing the boat.
Tobacco corporations like Philip Morris/Altria, BAT and JTI continue to
use dirty tricks to try to derail the treaty.
-- About 1 in every 5-10 cases develops ear infections (otitis media),
diarrhoea, or pneumonia.

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Attempts by
Philip Morris/Altria, British American Tobacco (BAT) and Japan Tobacco
International (JTI) to prevent an effective treaty from entering into force
have proved futile," she adds. The US has a long history of signing but not ratifying
international humanitarian agreements, such as the Convention on the Rights of
the Child. It also sets precedents for international
regulation of other industries that threaten health, the environment and human
rights. As both the global tobacco treaty and the Kyoto Protocol
take effect with the US on the sidelines, we are calling on our government to
join with the global community in prioritizing people's lives over the profits
of giant corporations," says Mulvey.
Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership
organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging
irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world.3476

Kathryn Mulvey
Mobile phone in Geneva: +1.
-- Vaccine efficacy is reduced if the vaccine is damaged by heat or
light.

Measles vaccine safety
-- Causes a mild measles-like illness (rash and fever) in about 5%
-- More serious reactions are rare and do not usually cause long -term
problems.

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To date,
fifty-seven countries have ratified the global tobacco treaty . A group of experts forming the Task Force on measles elimination
identified 2012 as a realistic target date for the Region to achieve
elimination.

Measles vaccine
-- Available since 1963.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Yang Baoping,
Regional Adviser in the Expanded Programme on Immunization
Tel: +63-2-528-9747
Email: yangb@wpro .

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The Network for Accountability of
Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes more than 100 NGOs from over 50
countries working for a strong, enforceable Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control. Measles has already been eliminated in the WHO Region of the
Americas. In so doing, other health
interventions can also be delivered to the community, including other life-
saving vaccines. "Sustained political commitment and
sufficient funding are crucial to achieve measles elimination ," said Dr Omi.

Spread of measles
-- Measles only affects humans.

Measles elimination strategy
-- Ensure that 95% of children get two doses of measles vaccine.

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Throughout the negotiations, countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, the
Middle East, and the Pacific and Caribbean Islands united to make the treaty a
reality. For over 25
years, we've forced corporations -like Nestle, General Electric and Philip
Morris/Altria-to stop abusive actions.
But geographical , cultural, and other barriers leave many communities
underserved.
-- About 1 per 1000 cases gets brain inflammation (encephalitis).
-- A 2003 estimate was of about 30 000 deaths and one million cases per
year in the Region; whereas only about 100,000 cases were reported
(deaths were not reported).

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The FCTC, initiated by the World Health Organization, bans tobacco
advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and protects public health policy from
tobacco industry interference. The US signed the FCTC in May 2004, but remains notably absent
from the list of countries that have ratified.stopcorporateabuse.547.
-- Before immunization began in 1963, about 99% of children would get
measles in childhood.

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For more information visit
http://www. Initiated by WHO to address
the global tobacco epidemic, the treaty bans tobacco advertising, promotion
and sponsorship, and protects public health policy from tobacco industry
interference.
In a protest outside the White House last Friday, activists shamed the
Bush Administration for its failure to submit the FCTC to the US Senate for
ratification.
"February 2005 is a landmark month for international cooperation on
critical issues of protecting people and our natural resources, and the US is
missing the boat.617.212.
-- The initial symptoms are fever, cough, conjunctivitis , and runny nose.
-- Elimination means that measles virus is no longer circulating and that
following any importation any further spread is very limited.
-- Provide laboratory support so that laboratory testing is available to
confirm diagnosis.

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Now that this global treaty has
become international law, it is no longer business as usual for Big Tobacco.

Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership
organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging
irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world.547.0920

Patti Lynn 617.695.org.

Achieving measles elimination requires:
-- Political commitment
-- Financial commitment
-- Technical capacity

Measles elimination, child survival, and health systems
-- Most measles deaths in the Region occur in disadvantaged populations
where regular health services are not available for various reasons,
such as cultural and geographical barriers.

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