GENEVA, Mar 18, 2002 (AFX-UK via COMTEX) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for an international approach to lawsuits against the tobacco industry as talks resumed here on a draft global treaty to cut the number of deaths from smoking.

In a report, the WHO said: "The law has now become an indispensable component of a comprehensive global tobacco control agenda, and nations in every part of the world are eager to tap its power."

Apart from support for countries that were considering litigation, the WHO said it was exploring the possibility of cross-border legal action.

"In the longer term the potential for new forms of international litigation or new international institutions needs to be explored," the report added.

"Used with discipline, the law can awaken public outrage, strengthen public policies and redress injuries - results that advance both justice and health," it said.

Litigation could be aimed not only at tobacco multinationals, but also state-owned enterprises, employers, businesses, according to the WHO.

　　From Healthy.net