[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 38 (Friday, February 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10094-10095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4388]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Comment Period and Public Meeting: Framework Convention on 
Tobacco Control

AGENCY: Office of Public Health and Science, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice of comment period and public meeting.

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SUMMARY: During the last two weeks in March, the Department of Health 
and Human Services is soliciting comments on the Framework Convention 
on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a proposed international legal instrument 
intended to address the global problem of tobacco use. Individuals and 
organizations are encouraged to comment on the FCTC in one or both of 
the following ways: (1) In writing, by submission through the mails, 
courier service, or email; (2) in person, at a public meeting that will 
be convened in Washington, DC.
    Comments that are received will assist the U.S. government to 
understand the perspectives of various organizations and individuals on 
the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The comment period 
and public meeting are intended to give interested persons, including 
public health and medical professionals, state and local officials, 
farmers, retailers, manufacturers and others an opportunity to comment 
on the FCTC.
    The comment period and meeting are open to the public. The meeting 
is limited by the time available for comments. The day long meeting 
will allow approximately 130 comments to be heard. Seating capacity is 
300.
    Those who wish to attend are encouraged to register early with the 
contact person listed below. If you will require a sign language 
interpreter, or have other special needs, please notify the contact 
person by 4:30 E.S.T. on March 9, 2000.

DATES: The comment period will be held from March 15-30, 2000. Comments 
can be submitted by mail or electronically (electronic submissions are 
encouraged). To submit electronic comments, send via e-mail to 
[email protected].

ADDRESSES: To submit comments by mail, send to: FCTC Comments (Attn: 
Ms. Monica Swann), Office on Smoking and Health, 200 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 317-B, Washington, DC 20201.
    The public meeting will be held on March 15, 2000, from 8:30 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, 1300 
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Monica Swann, Office on Smoking 
and Health, Centers for Disease Control, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room 317-B, Washington, DC 20201, (202) 205-8500, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 1999, the World Health Assembly, the 
governing body of the World Health Organization, unanimously adopted 
resolution WHA 52.18 calling for negotiation of a Framework Convention 
on Tobacco Control support (FCTC). The United States joined other 
countries in voicing support for negotiation of the convention, which 
is intended to address the global problem of tobacco use.
    The first meeting of the FCTC working group was held in Geneva in 
October 1999. From May 2000 through 2003, it is anticipated that an 
Intergovernmental Negotiating Body will be established to negotiate the 
text of the FCTC and related protocols. May 2003 is the target date for 
completion of the FCTC by the World Health Assembly. (Background 
documents on the FCTC are available on the World Health Organization's 
web site at http://www.who.int/toh/fctc/fctcintro.htm.)
    It is anticipated that additional comment periods and public 
meetings will be convened before the completion of the FCTC.
    If you would like to attend the public meeting, you are encouraged 
to register early by providing your name, title, firm name, address, 
and telephone number to Monica Swann (contact information above). The 
U.S. government encourages individuals to submit written comments 
electronically or by mail. Comments also will be accepted during the 
meeting. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please notify 
Monica Swann (address above) when you register. There is no 
registration fee for the meeting.
    The transcript of the public meeting and submitted comments will be 
posted on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco. In addition, you 
may request a transcript of the public meeting from the Freedom of 
Information Act Officer at:

[[Page 10095]]

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Attn: Lynn Armstrong, FOIA 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS D54, Atlanta, GA 30333. The 
materials should be available approximately 15 working days after the 
meeting.

    Dated: February 17, 2000.
David Satcher,
Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General.
[FR Doc. 00-4388 Filed 2-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M