UN/WHO In Another Power Grab

This time it is a smoking treaty, the text of which can be found here in PDF format. According to NoSmoking.ws, an anti-smoking website, the treaty would allow for the following:

• The FCTC will address trans-national and trans-border issues such as, global advertising, smuggling, environmental tobacco smoke and trade.
  
• The FCTC will move tobacco issues to a much higher profile within the UN and with national governments. It marks an important shift in the use of international legal instruments as a means of promoting public health.
  
• The FCTC will also serve as an important catalyst in strengthening national tobacco legislation and control programs. The process of negotiating and implementing the FCTC will help to mobilize technical and financial support for tobacco control and raise awareness among many government ministries and other entities concerned with tobacco issues.
  
• If properly negotiated, the FCTC could help turn the tide against the tobacco industry by weakening its political power and helping to end its unethical behavior through regulation and legislation.
  
• The process of developing the FCTC is likely to raise public awareness internationally about the strategies and tactics employed by the multinational tobacco companies.
  
• The FCTC could further international tobacco control, because in addition to imposing specific obligations which could be contained within the FCTC and related protocols, the process of developing the FCTC is likely to help strengthen tobacco control internationally.
  
• The process should enable and encourage governments to strengthen their national tobacco control policies by giving them greater access to scientific research and examples of best practice; motivating national leaders to rethink priorities as they respond to an ongoing international process; engaging powerful ministries, such as finance and foreign affairs, more deeply in tobacco control.
  
• The process of developing the FCTC is likely to mobilize technical and financial support for tobacco control at both national and international levels.
  
• The FCTC may make it politically easier for developing countries to resist the tobacco industry.
  
• The process of developing the FCTC is likely to mobilize non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other members of civil society in support of stronger tobacco control.

In other words, it would restrict a legal product and, per usual with the anti-smoking crowd, rely on junk science for it's primary support.

Dodgeglobe.com: AP News

"Much to the surprise of many around the world, I am going to be supporting the tobacco treaty," U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said on the eve of the meeting of health ministers.
But he stressed it would be a first step since the treaty still needs to be signed by President Bush and ratified by Congress.

Anti-smoking activists and developing countries have accused the United States of trying to undermine the tobacco accord.

The language of the treaty was agreed in March over U.S. objections that it did not allow countries to opt out of individual clauses — a procedure known as taking reservations.

Also, The Washington Times: Commentary

Tobaccophobes such as Michael Bloomberg and Stanton Glantz are determined to eliminate smoking from bars and restaurants regardless of what the evidence shows. But those of us who have more respect for the truth should not let them banish skepticism along with cigarette smoke.

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