Posted on: Wednesday, April 7, 2004

EDITORIAL
Smoking treaty makes good sense for the U.S.

That leprechaun with his pipe will simply have to stay home now if he wants to puff peacefully away with his evening pint.

Ireland, home of smoky pubs and musical conversation, has become the first European country to ban smoking in all work places, including pubs and restaurants.

There is considerable controversy over the ban. But the best bet is that most people will conclude that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

This gives rise to the topic of the World Health Organization and its new Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which more than 100 nations have endorsed as a first step toward a global treaty on smoking.

To the surprise of many, the United States has signed on to the compact.

The treaty requires countries to stem tobacco promotion, put new warning labels on tobacco products, crack down on tobacco smuggling and impose new indoor clean-air standards.

Congress and President Bush should stand up to the tobacco industry and endorse the treaty.