Jump to full article: Associated Press (AP), 2004-12-01
Author: JONATHAN FOWLER Associated Press Writer
Intro: A global anti-tobacco accord will take effect next year after being ratified by Peru, the 40th and final country needed to implement the treaty that limits advertising and requires tough new warning labels be put on packs of cigarettes.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is meant to cut the number of deaths from tobacco-related illness -- such as cancer and heart disease -- which the World Health Organization estimates kill one smoker every 6.5 seconds. Some 5 million smokers are thought to die each year.
The World Health Organization said Peru's announcement Tuesday that it had ratified the accord raised total ratifications to 40, meaning the pact will come into force in 90 days -- or on Feb. 28.
A total 128 other countries, including the United States, have signed the treaty but have not yet ratified it.
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