uk bat.com - WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

In many areas, our goals and the goals of the WHO  have common ground

The World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) entered into force in February 2005 and is setting the agenda for national tobacco regulatory priorities in most countries of the world.

192 governments negotiated the FCTC and 168 became signatories - indicating an intention to become a Party.  By the end of 2008, more than 160 were Parties, signifying that they either have, or will have, national laws in place to implement the FCTC as they interpret it.

The FCTC provides countries that ratify it with a global policy framework for addressing tobacco issues locally.  Governments will over time consider updating their local legislation, reflecting their interpretation of the FCTC and their own circumstances and priorities.

We say don’t exclude the responsible tobacco industry

As one of the world’s leading tobacco groups, we have offered our views on the FCTC over the several years of its development, although regrettably we have been given little opportunity to make meaningful input.  At an early stage, the WHO publicly stated: “The tobacco industry, its trade associations and key allies should be kept from the negotiating process.”

Yet in many areas, our goals and the goals of the WHO policymakers have common ground.  In an early submission to the WHO, we outlined progressive proposals for a regulatory approach to the fundamental issues surrounding tobacco use, including preventing under-age smoking, developing potentially lower-risk products and ensuring appropriate marketing standards.  We highlighted our willingness to help governments in delivering a radical, yet workable agenda for ‘a quantum leap’ towards reducing the net public health impact of tobacco use.

You can read our past news releases, views and commentaries in Regulation archive.

As governments now look to interpret the FCTC into their own laws, we will continue to offer constructive views and solutions.  We believe that there is much to be gained by including the responsible tobacco industry in the regulatory process, along with considering the views and impacts on tobacco growers, consumers and other related industries.

There is more about what the FCTC covers - and what it misses - along with our views in Key FCTC topics.