WASHINGTON (AFP) - US lawmakers called on the White House to exclude tobacco products from a proposed pan-American free-trade pact because lower tariffs would make it easier for tobacco companies to recruit new smokers in Latin America.
"We urge you to insist that tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, be excluded from this trade-promoting agreement," the lawmakers wrote in a letter co-signed to US President George W. Bush.
Representatives Henry Waxman of California, Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois made their plea as top trade officials from 34 countries prepared to meet in Miami later this week for the final phase of negotiations to establish the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
The lawmakers, who slammed the Bush administration's record on tobacco-related issues, said the White House has the chance to partially redeem itself by excluding tobacco products from the trade pact.
"Your administration has a poor track record on international tobacco issues. You have lowered tariffs for tobacco companies in bilateral negotiations, provided extensive international marketing assistance, and opposed multiple provisions in a groundbreaking international tobacco-control agreement," the lawmakers wrote.
"If the deal eliminates tobacco tariffs and provides new grounds for the tobacco industry to challenge tobacco control measures, the FTAA would risk a public health catastrophe.
"It would accelerate ongoing efforts by tobacco companies to recruit millions of new users in Latin American, particularly women and the young."
Trade ministers from every country in the Americas except Cuba were to meet in Miami Thursday and Friday to discuss agricultural subsidies, investment rules and other trade related issues.
Negotiators from the 34 countries have a January 1, 2005, deadline to complete the trade pact.
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