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THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2001

Thomas E. Novotny has stepped down as the United States' chief negotiator on a global treaty to reduce tobacco usage.

The official reason given for his departure was personal. Sources close to Novotny, however, told The Washington Post that the Health and Human Services official has become disappointed with the Bush administration's position on a number of issues.

Novotny has been at HHS since the Clinton administration. He will leave his deputy assistant secretary post next February.

International critics say the Bush administration is retreating on secondhand smoke and cigarette marketing.

Get the Story:
Negotiator In Global Tobacco Talks Quits (The Washington Post 8/2)

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