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In a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO), Meehan, Congressmen Jim Hansen (R-Utah) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), along with eight other lawmakers, write that the "World Bank estimates that by 2030, tobacco use will cause 10 million deaths per year, seventy percent of which will occur in developing countries. This waste of human life is unnecessary and preventable." WHO officials are currently leading international efforts to negotiate the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an initiative designed to forge a global treaty to protect the public health of citizens worldwide from the effects of tobacco.

Meehan and Hansen are co-chairmen of the Congressional Task Force on Tobacco and Health, while Waxman is the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee.

"Tobacco is a global scourge that needs a global strategy. To fully cut down on tobacco use here in the United States, we need a plan that doesn't stop at the water's edge," said Meehan, a longtime crusader against "Big Tobacco." "For challenges like controlling tobacco smuggling -- which frustrates efforts to discourage smoking by undermining domestic tobacco tax policies -- an international community armed with an effective strategy can do a world of good."

In their letter, the lawmakers urge the treaty negotiators to include tough provisions for:

Advertising: "Bans on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and other promotional activities have proven to be effective in reducing tobacco use and preventing new smokers from starting. Both the World Health Organization and the World Bank recommend that countries prohibit all forms of tobacco advertisement and promotion. Such bans, if adopted globally, could reduce worldwide demand by approximately 7 percent, preventing over 5 million tobacco-related deaths." (letter excerpt)

Smuggling: "An anti-smuggling provision in the FCTC [Framework Convention] holds great promise for public health. International cooperation could prevent smuggling through the adoption of effective provisions such as a comprehensive system of marking tobacco products to allow better tracking and identification of smuggled products, including prominent tax-paid and country-of-origin markings; the mandatory licensing of all parties involved in tobacco product distribution; and improved record-keeping requirements for all parties involved in the tobacco trade to assist in anti-smuggling efforts." (letter excerpt)

Product Regulation: "The Framework Convention should focus on developing expert capacity at the international level on all technical issues related to product design, product use, manufacturing and technology. This attention should target the reduction of tobacco-related deaths and disease through the following measures: developing products that are less harmful, reducing the dependency of the user of tobacco products, supporting the cessation or curtailment of individual tobacco use, and developing alternative and safer forms of nicotine." (letter excerpt)