The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)

The WHO FCTC ( WHO FCTC 2003 (pdf)), the first public health treaty at global level, has 182 parties (states or regional economic integration organisations), and covers more than 90% of the world's population. All EU Member States, as well as the EU itself, have ratified, accepted or approved the Treaty ( UN Status of Treties ). The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based treaty that puts the focus on the right of all people to the highest standard of health.

The WHO FCTC opened for signature, for a period of one year, on June 2003, and the Convention entered into force on 27 February 2005. WHO publishes global progress reports on the implementation of the WHO FCTC every two years (WHO 2018).

Overview of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2003; 2005)

The objective of the Convention is to protect ‘present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke’ (WHO 2003 (pdf)) .

The 38 articles, structured in 11 parts, propose specific measures to reduce the demand and supply of tobacco products and also cover the protection of the environment, questions on liability, scientific and technical cooperation and communication, and the institutional, administrative and financial aspects. Some examples are:

Measures relating to the reduction of demand for tobacco

Price and tax measures

• Implement tax/price policies on tobacco products to contribute to the health objectives aimed at reducing tobacco consumption
• Prohibit or restrict sales/importations to/by international travellers of tax- and duty-free tobacco products

Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke

• Provide protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places and other public places

Regulation of the contents of tobacco products

• Propose guidelines for testing and measuring the contents and emissions of tobacco products and for their regulation

Regulation of tobacco product disclosures

• Require manufacturers and importers to disclose to authorities information about contents and emissions
• Require public disclosure of information about toxic constituents and emissions they may produce.

Packaging and labelling of tobacco products

• Ensure tobacco product packaging and labelling do not promote a product by false, misleading, deceptive means, such as creating the false impression that a particular product is less harmful than other products, for example with terms like ‘low tar’, ‘light’, ‘ultra-light’, or ‘mild’.
• Ensure all packaging carry health warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use. Warnings and messages must be approved by the competent national authority, shall rotate, shall be large, clear, visible and legible, should cover 50% or more of the principal display areas and may include pictures or pictograms.

Education, communication, training and public awareness

• Promote public awareness of tobacco control issues. Among other, promote awareness about benefits of cessation of tobacco use and tobacco-free lifestyles; about the adverse health, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco production and consumption; training, sensitisation and awareness programmes for health workers, educators, decision-makers, and other key professionals.

Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship

• Undertake a comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, with cross-border effects, or at least apply minimum restrictions. Minimum requirements include:
  1. prohibit all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship that promote a tobacco product by false, misleading or deceptive means, or means likely to create erroneous impression about its characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions;
  2. require that health warnings or messages accompany all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship;
  3. restrict direct or indirect incentives for the purchase of tobacco products;
  4. require the disclosure to the authorities of expenditures by the tobacco industry on advertising, promotion and sponsorship not yet prohibited;
  5. undertake a comprehensive ban or restrict tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship on radio, television, print media and, as appropriate, other media such as the internet, within 5 years; and
  6. prohibit or restrict tobacco sponsorship of international events, activities or their participants.

• Cooperate in developing technologies and other means to facilitate the elimination of cross-border advertising.
• Parties have the sovereign right to ban forms of cross-border tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship which they have banned in their territory and to impose equal penalties applicable domestically.
• Consider the elaboration of a protocol for international collaboration for a comprehensive ban on cross-border advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation

Develop and disseminate appropriate, comprehensive and integrated guidelines based on scientific evidence and best practices, and take effective measures to promote cessation of tobacco use and adequate treatment for tobacco dependence.

Measures relating to the reduction of the supply of tobacco

Illicit trade in tobacco products

Illicit trade in tobacco products includes smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting. The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (ITP) is the first protocol to the FCTC and addresses tobacco supply reduction.

Sales to and by minors

Signatories shall prohibit the sales of tobacco products to minors, ban the distribution of free tobacco products, prohibit the sale of cigarettes individually or in small packets, as these increase their affordability to minors. Vending machines also make tobacco accessible to minors and shall be banned or limited.

Provision of support for economically viable alternative activities

The WHO FCTC requests to promote economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers, growers and individual sellers.

More information

WHO FCTC

https://www.who.int/fctc/en/