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non-USA, by Country
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· WHO: FCTC
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The global death toll attributed to tobacco could rise to eight million by 2030 at the current rate, WHO warns.
Jump to full article: Agence France Presse (AFP) (fr), 2010-02-26
Intro: World Health Organisation chief Margaret Chan on Friday accused "ruthless, devious" tobacco companies of bullying as she battled attempts to stimulate smoking in poor nations.
In a speech marking the fifth anniversary of an international convention on tobacco control, Chan said she would not allow the tobacco industry to take part in talks on expanding the world's first public health treaty.
"Like my predecessors, I am not on speaking terms with the tobacco industry, but I will say this: we've come a long way, bullies," she said at WHO headquarters in Geneva.
The 2005 convention bans advertising and sponsorship, advocates tobacco taxes, legislation to make public places smoke-free and other restrictions to stifle a growth in smoking which is blamed for increasing heart disease, strokes and cancers.
"The battle against opposition continues, especially in developing countries," the UN health chief said.
"Most alarming of all, tobacco use is actually increasing in many developing countries. If Big Tobacco is in retreat in some parts of the world, it is on the march in others," Chan said.
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