WHO accused of watering down tobacco treaty

Health activists urged the World Health Organization not to cave in to industry pressure as the final round of talks to conclude a landmark global treaty to reduce tobacco consumption got under way on 17 February.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control seeks to restrict advertising and marketing, make health warnings larger on cigarette packets, reduce passive smoking, increase awareness about the risks of smoking, and establish disclosure requirements for tobacco firms.

The final text, which …