"The general trend is moving toward a public-health oriented treaty," said Derek Yach, head of the WHO's anti-smoking campaign. "The language we have creates options for a strong treaty. There's also language that could make it a weak treaty -- but all the language is clear."

Throughout the week, delegates were trying to agree on alternative wording or sentences regarding policy options for taxation, marketing, labeling, and anti-smuggling measures.

Yach said talks are to the point where delegates can now focus on the issues in the draft.

Anti-smoking activists also were pleased at the progress made at the meetings. Judith Wilkenfeld of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids noted that the meeting had managed "to streamline an unwieldy draft text that consisted of different and often conflicting approaches to key issues."

She added, "It is heartening that nations from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, that are the latest targets of the tobacco industry's marketing barrage, have taken strong positions and have succeeded in keeping them under consideration as the negotiating process moves forward."

The talks will continue in March and October. Last March, delegates agreed to discuss a ban on the terms "light" and "low-tar" to describe cigarettes.

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