The World Health Organisation says a worldwide anti-smoking treaty has come into force today now that is has been signed by 57 countries.

The treaty aims to reduce the number of deaths caused by smoking, which kills an estimated five million people every year. The countries which have signed the treaty commit themselves to ban smoking in public areas, put clear warnings on tobacco packages and to take measures aimed at curbing smoking.

As a result of the treaty, all tobacco advertising will be banned across the European Union as of August.

The treaty was reached despite the opposition of the tobacco industry and tobacco producing countries such as the United States.

(rnw.nl)

<font color = lightgreen>Of course we're going to object--there is still a lot of money to be made both in tobacco products and by the medical industry from health care delivered to people suffering from the effects of smoking.

Oh, wait--was that cynical of me? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img]

Although I do support people being able to make their own choices (and smoking is a choice, you nitwits who think you can sue the tobacco companies for "forcing" you to smoke :rolleyes: ), I also support restrictions on smoking--I don't like the smell and cigarettes will probably kill my father. </font>

I have no problem with trying to reduce the deaths by smoking. What I have a problem with, is commercials like the "supid.ca" ones that are outrageously stupid, use faulty logic, and generally assume that anyone that smokes is a complete moron.

<span style="color: lightblue">Any specific information on what the treaty involves, and which countries have signed it?

As has been said, we should not be able to stop people from smoking, that is a decision that they make, but they should be responsible for what heppens to them as a result, and I alos believe in restricions of where people can smoke, lots of people dont like it, and it can cause problems for people, whilst making them very uncomfortable.