Tobacco campaigners worried by slow progress on convention.

A year after the World Health Assembly adopted the framework convention on tobacco control, the goal of having 40 countries ratify the treaty by 29 June is proving elusive. While 192 member nations of the World Health Organization backed the convention last year, only 113 countries have taken the first step towards implementing it by signing it. Of these only 13 have taken the next step and ratified it (indicating a country’s agreement to be bound by the provisions after the convention comes into force), most of which are developing countries. The only developed countries to ratify the convention are New Zealand and Norway. Key provisions of the convention—which will come into force 90 days after 40 countries have ratified it—include bans on advertising and promotion, support for tax increases, and protecting people from second hand smoke. The European Union is expected to ratify the convention at its early June meeting in Ireland. The seven EU accession states that haven’t yet ratified are expected to follow. That would bring the total number of countries to ratify it to 35. Bob Burton Canberra