Tobacco lobby threatens to derail global antismoking treaty

World Health Organization officials say that a global anti-tobacco pact that becomes law on 27 February still has a long way to go before its tough antismoking measures are adopted in many countries.

WHO's 192 member states adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2003. Since then, 168 countries have signed it; 55 of these have ratified it, but only a few have passed its terms into law.

The convention includes a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, marketing, and sponsorship; tough standards for health warnings on cigarette …