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Context:

The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

About WHO FCTC

The WHO FCTC was adopted in 2003 and effective from 2005, is the first legally binding global health treaty negotiated under WHO.

It now has 183 Parties (90% of the global population), making it one of the most widely ratified UN treaties.

Core measures include:

• Pictorial health warnings: 138 countries now require large graphic warnings on cigarette packs.
• Plain packaging: Dozens of countries mandate standardized cigarette packaging without branding.
• Smoke-free laws: Over 25% of the global population is protected by indoor smoking bans.
• Advertising bans: 66+ countries prohibit tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

These measures have contributed to a one-third drop in global tobacco use prevalence since 2005.

Impact on Public Health

• Lives saved: Up to 5.6 billion people are covered by at least one FCTC-aligned policy.
• Economic benefits: Reduced tobacco-related healthcare costs, particularly for low-income populations.
• Environmental gains: Bans on plastic-heavy cigarette butts and reduced land/water depletion from tobacco farming.

Challenges from the Tobacco Industry

The industry spends tens of billions annually on lobbying and marketing to undermine the FCTC. Tactics include:

• Targeting youth via social media and e-cigarettes.
• Framing itself as a “solution” through CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives.
• Influencing policymakers to exempt new products (e.g., vaping) from regulations.

Future Priorities

• Strengthen enforcement: Only 56 countries are on track to meet the 2025 target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use.
• Address new products: Regulate e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches.
• Hold industry accountable: Proposals include a Global Tobacco Control Fund funded by industry contributions and legal mechanisms to force companies to cover health/environmental costs.
• Expand FCTC scope: Link tobacco control to environmental policies (e.g., plastic pollution treaties) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.

Must Read Articles:

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)

Source:

NEWS.UN.ORG

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