U.S. reverses stance, backs treaty to fight tobacco use
Finally, the Shrub Administration makes a decision that doesn't appear to be driven by what would be best for a large campaign donor. It's about damn time....
Americans might not realize this, but even though cigarette smoking is becoming increasingly unpopular and unfashionable in this country, the Third World has become a huge market for Big Tobacco. Unable to to market death here, they have taken their show on the road, and Third World countries are buying American cigarettes in previously unimaginable quantities.
Without the controls on tobacco that exist in the US, even children can be involved in the cigarette trade. During my time in Kosovo, it was not uncommon to see eight- and nine-year-old children selling cigarettes on street corners at midnight in downtown Pristina. Children aren't just selling cigarettes at that age, either- they are frequently addicted. American companies, while not solely responsible, are guilty for contributing to this state of affairs.
It's nice to finally see a decision come out of the Shrub Administration that was made for the right reasons, and not to pay back contributors or win political support. The sad thing is that I'm applauding something because it so rarely happens.
