Brussels, 03/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a press release issued at the weekend, Commissioner David Byrne, who is responsible for health and consumer protection, hailed the agreement reached at the end of the sixth World Health Organisation (WHO) negotiations on the world's first global Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The final text includes rules on taxing tobacco products, preventing and treating addiction, combatting contraband cigarettes, advertising and promotion. I will be presented at the May 2003 meeting of the World Health Organisation. David Byrne declared: "Despite the best efforts of the addition industry and its allies, it is heartening to witness an alliance of countries from all corners of the globe, standing up together to put their citizens first. Building on this first big step, we can work together to reverse the rising death-toll which now claims nearly five million lives every year, and which will double if we fail to act resolutely. I would like to congratulated Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland on her courageous leadership in this vital issue."