MORE CANCER FOR THE POOR

"Three years ago, an international treaty took effect that was designed to help developing countries resist aggressive marketing by big tobacco companies. The idea was that if a large number of countries committed themselves to the same tobacco control policies — including bans on all advertising and promotion — they would be better able to resist pressure from multinational tobacco companies and their own domestic tobacco sellers. Unfortunately, the governments of low- and middle-income countries have not followed through. With tobacco use declining in wealthier countries, tobacco companies are spending tens of billions of dollars a year on advertising, marketing and sponsorship, much of it to increase sales in these developing countries." (New York Times, 19 February) RD