More than 190 countries, including Ireland, today approved the first ever international treaty against smoking, including an advertising ban, aimed at breaking a habit that kills nearly five million people a year.
The World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of the World Health Organisation's 192 countries, unanimously adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), committing themselves to fighting the "devastating...consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure".
"Today, we are acting to save billions of lives and protect people's health for generations to come. This is an historic moment," said WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland.
The pact, which was agreed by member states in March after years of negotiations, requires countries to ban or impose tough restrictions on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion within five years.
It also lays down guidelines on health warnings to be carried on cigarette packets, recommends tax increases on tobacco products and calls for a crackdown on cigarette smuggling, amongst other measures.
The UN health agency says 4.9 million people die each year from cancer, cardiovascular disease and other conditions linked to smoking and that the toll is likely to exceed 10 million by 2020, with 70 percent of the victims in the developing world.
Smooth passage of the pact, which will come into force when it is ratified by 40 states, was guaranteed after the United States said at the weekend it was withdrawing its objections.
When the final text was hammered out in a marathon 18-hour session by WHO states on March 1st, Washington said it would not be able accept parts of the deal, including the advertising ban.
The United States, home to some of the world's largest tobacco companies, said its constitution - guaranteeing rights of free speech - prevented any such prohibition.
The treaty did not need the backing of the United States to be approved by the assembly, but the absence of the world's most powerful country would have been a blow.
"This is an outstanding day when you can stand up and make a tremendous step forward for good public health across the world," US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said, although he stopped short of committing Washington to ratifying it.
The Minister for Finance Mr Martin, speaking from Geneva, welcomed the adoption of the treaty.
"Ireland welcomes the historic decision taken today which aims to curb tobacco related deaths.
Throughout the negotiations, Ireland consistently advocated a strong line on measures to control tobacco, both nationally and internationally," he said.