2016年1月31日 星期日

lobbying, graphic warnings on tobacco products


“Members of Congress now make $174,000 a year — not a bad living,” Lee Drutman writes at Vox. “But usually they can at least quintuple that salary by switching over to lobbying once they retire. And many of them do just that.”

The lobbying industry, despite a small decline in revenue, is still the fastest way to make big bucks in Washington.
BILLMOYERS.COM


WHO pushes for graphic warnings on tobacco products

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictorial warnings to show the sickness and suffering caused by tobacco use.

The WHO will mark its No Tobacco Day with events across the globe and the kickoff to a new campaign promoting the use of pictorial warnings on tobacco products. "Show the truth, picture warnings save lives," is the message and theme of this year's No Tobacco Day.
When the WHO says the truth, it means bleeding brains, blackened gums and bulging neck tumors. A healthy lung on the left with a diseased lung on the right with the warning Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Warnings on British cigarette packages may include disturbing images like this one
"Although some people question the need for such pictures, the evidence is absolutely clear that they convince people to quit," said Douglas Bettcher, the head of the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative.
"Disgust, fear, sadness or worry" triggered by the graphic images can effectively discourage smoking.
Bettcher said the images are the most effective way to communicate the risks of smoking to those who are unaware of the dangers as well as to those who try to block such worries from their mind when they smoke.
According to the WHO, such warning images are already used in more than 20 countries, including Britain, Belgium, Iran, Peru and Malaysia, although nine out of ten people live in countries that do not require their use.
Smoking a global issue
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control obliges its 160 signatory countries to require health warnings on packaging, which describe the harmful effects of tobacco use. The convention does not make it mandatory for warnings to also include pictures.
People pass over a no smoking sign in the Madrid undergroundBildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Many EU countries have passed laws banning smoking in public places
In addition to compelling warnings, the WHO campaigns to cut tobacco use internationally by eliminating smoking in public buildings, imposing high taxes on tobacco products and banning tobacco marketing and sponsorships.
Today, 80 percent of the world's smokers live in developing countries, a number that has risen in recent years due to increased marketing and production in those countries.
Different events are taking place across Europe to promote a tobacco free world. In Bosnia-Herzegovina ,there will be a performance by the Sarajevo Drum Orchestra, information and advice booths as well as games in the main square in Sarajevo.
In Italy, there will be a conference on Italian health policies, the prevention and treatment of tobacco-related illnesses and the promotion of a smoke-free culture.
In the Czech Republic, a group of about 80 people will climb Snezka, the country's highest mountain and a symbol of clean air.
hf/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Greg Benzow




lobby
(PERSUADE) Show phonetics
verb [I or T]
to try to persuade a politician, the government or an official group that a particular thing should or should not happen, or that a law should be changed:
Small businesses have lobbied hard for/against changes in the tax laws.
[+ to infinitive] Local residents lobbied to have the factory shut down.
[+ object + to infinitive] They have been lobbying Congress to change the legislation concerning guns.

lobby Show phonetics
noun [C]
a group of people who try to persuade the government or an official group to do something:
the anti-smoking lobby

lobbyist Show phonetics
noun [C]
someone who tries to persuade a politician or official group to do something:
Lobbyists for the tobacco industry have expressed concerns about the restriction of smoking in public places.





The New York Times leads on news that business lobbyists are racing to win approval for a wide range of health, safety, labor and economic measures before the end of George Bush's presidency, spurred by concerns that the next tenant of the Oval Office will be less sympathetic to their causes.


The Los Angeles Times leads with an investigation into a major lobbying drive that persuaded officials to nix plans for an improved anthrax vaccine.
nix

nix PhoneticPhoneticPhoneticPhoneticPhoneticPhonetic
verb [T] US INFORMAL
to stop, forbid or refuse to accept something:
━━ vt. 〔俗〕 禁止する, 拒否する.
nix
:俚語,在本文中作動詞,指拒絕、不同意或禁止,如......

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