Let me say first, in talking to young people about tobacco I often describe my early years. I tell them that I am one of the few people I have ever known who used to actually smoke in the shower. And to do that you have to be very addicted and you have to be very tall. Times changed for me but not for everyone, which is why we are having this special day. In a very real sense, the core of civilization by definition is the habit of civility. Civilization is measured by how people treat each other. It's the way we measure countries, institutions, individuals and companies. How do the executives of tobacco companies treat the young and the poor of this world? They treat them as if their lives were unimportant or at least not as important as the profit for the executives. It's been said that if you don't work on important problems it's not likely that you will do important work. Well few problems are as important to the health of the world as tobacco. We have heard repeatedly this morning that tobacco is now the single most lethal agent in the world.
President Carter has been working both domestically and internationally to decrease the tobacco problem. It's a very personal issue with him as he feels he has lost family members prematurely because of tobacco. I'm pleased to read part of his message to Dr. Nakajima for this gathering. President Carter writes: "I wish I could be with you for this important celebration of World No-Tobacco Day. I commend you for your efforts to prevent children and youth from smoking. A problem that continues to grow internationally. The economics of tobacco are inextricably linked with child health. Tobacco companies target children and adolescents with advertising, luring youngsters into the trap of a lifelong addiction to cigarettes while assuring large profits for the manufacturers. I strongly endorse efforts to discourage children and adolescents from beginning smoking, to limit their access to tobacco and to ban untruthful advertising. The partnerships you have formed to address these issues are necessary and vital to fight the powerful influence of the tobacco industry. You can consider me a full partner with you in this important cause. Signed, Jimmy Carter. Thank you.