[Forest]

The treaty takes effect after 40 countries have ratified it. Most delegates — including those from the European Union, China and Japan — told Wednesday's assembly that their governments would move to speedy signature and ratification.

The one notable exception was the United States. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson (search) said Washington was "reviewing the text of the convention."

"The United States is not making commitment to sign or ratify," said Judith Wilkinson of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (search). "They recognized that the rest of world wanted to go forward but didn't say they would join the rest of the world in ratification. It's an incredible missed opportunity."

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Hmmmmmmmmm wonder why the White house would drag its feet on something like this

How much money do you think Republicans get from Tobacco?