WASHINGTON, DC May 18, 2016 The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released a report today assessing the economic impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment agreement. The report is mandated ahead of congressional action on a trade deal that includes an historic tobacco control provision.
A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), follows:
The release of the USITC 's economic report is an essential step forward in the process to get the TPP trade and investment agreement with the first of its kind tobacco control provision approved by Congress. The approval of the TPP by Congress, and the 11 other participating governments, would protect the authority of partner countries to enact lifesaving tobacco control measures without being subject to a legal dispute or threat of such a dispute by the tobacco industry under the agreement.
The TPP includes language preventing the tobacco industry from using the agreement to sue those countries that implement tobacco-related public health measures including warning labels on packages, aggressive prevention and cessation campaigns and programs, increased taxes on tobacco products, and comprehensive smoke-free policies.
Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of disease and death around the world. One billion people are expected to die globally this century, including 480,000 every year in the U.S., if trends in tobacco use don 't change.
It 's time for Congress to take action. By approving the TPP, Congress has the historic opportunity to help save millions of lives rather than promoting the interests of the tobacco industry.
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.æ ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jill Courtney or Alissa Crispino
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 585-3278 or (202) 661-5772
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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