Tobacco.org

• Exclude tobacco from Americas trade pact: US lawmakers 

US lawmakers called on the White House to exclude tobacco products from a proposed pan-American free-trade pact because lower tariffs would make it easier for tobacco companies to recruit new smokers in Latin America.

"We urge you to insist that tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, be excluded from this trade-promoting agreement," the lawmakers wrote in a letter co-signed to US President George W. Bush .

Representatives Henry Waxman of California, Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois made their plea as top trade officials from 34 countries prepared to meet in Miami later this week for the final phase of negotiations to establish the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Jump to full article »