Malta signs tobacco treaty

Malta was among the first countries to sign the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which was opened for signature on June 16, 2003.

In a ceremony at the World Health Organisation headquarters in Geneva, a number of countries as well as the European Community, signed the only global health treaty produced in several decades.

Ambassador Michael Bartolo signed on behalf of the government of Malta.

The treaty sets an international floor for tobacco control with provisions on advertising and sponsorship, tax and price increases, labelling, illicit trade and second-hand smoke.

Countries and regional economic integration organisations are free to legislate at higher thresholds. Treaty signatories are under an obligation to refrain from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of the treaty.

"The FCTC is a global public health tool to fight a worldwide threat," the Department of Information said.

It aims to protect national legislation from being circumvented by transnational phenomena, such as cross-border advertising and smuggling of tobacco products.