In the wake of COVID-19 the world meets to counter the ambitions of the tobacco industry to keep millions hooked on its products
In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, two global events, coordinated from the WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, bring together partners from all over the world who aim to strengthen tobacco control measures. They intend to improve standards that reduce the burden of disease and suffering caused by tobacco consumption.
The 182 Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) will gather virtually for the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP9) from 8 – 13 November 2021. Immediately after COP9, the second session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP2) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products will also be held, from 15 – 18 November 2021.
Tobacco remains the only consumer product that kills up to half of those who use it as intended by manufacturers. Globally, it kills one person every four seconds, that’s approximate 8 million individuals needlessly dying every year - and even worse, one million of those deaths occur in non-smokers exposed to tobacco smoke. Tobacco use is directly linked to the four most prevalent noncommunicable diseases: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.
Message from the head of the Convention Secretariat: Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, speaking ahead of the two events, said, “The WHO FCTC has achieved close to universal membership, covering 90% of the world’s population. And we are seeing the positive results of the broad acceptance of the treaty, as Parties advance in their implementation of its measures. We can all take heart in the fact that the global prevalence of current tobacco use in people 15 years old and older, has decreased from 29 % in 2005 to 22% in 2019, and will continue to decrease to 2025, with almost 1 in 3 Parties on track to achieving the 30% reduction target by then.”
A public health evidence-based approach: The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health. It sets out evidence-based measures that promote public health and establishes a legal dimension for the implementation of international health standards.
The objective of the Convention is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, economic, social and environmental impact of tobacco. It is no secret that the tobacco industry, and those who work to further its interests, remain the greatest obstacle to ending the tobacco epidemic. The industry continues to generate vast profits from making people dependent on its products, now produced in various forms and shapes.
The fight against the illicit trade in tobacco: This year is the second session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP2) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. Its Parties meet to support the implementation of the Protocol which is built on Article 15 of the WHO FCTC.
MOP2 will consider measures to progress with a global tracing system, to track and trace the movement of tobacco products. The Parties will also discuss ways to strengthen international cooperation, including on information sharing and law enforcement cooperation, so that countries can more easily act together.
Up-dating how tobacco control measures are paid for: This year COP9 seeks to improve fundraising strategies, with an emphasis on establishing capital investment funds. The proposed funding mechanism will be created by way of loans, repayable to investors. The interest derived from the new funds will support the work that strengthens tobacco control measures and once the term of each loan is up, the money will be returned to the investor. In addition, this year, the proposed Workplan and Budget for 2022–2023 will be discussed by both governing bodies.
As tobacco companies alter their tactics, now, more than ever, falsely presenting themselves as part of the solution to the tobacco epidemic, they remain determined to seek out new profits, aiming to win over young people, women and vulnerable communities. Both the Convention and the Protocol present ways of challenging and reversing the tobacco industry’s attempts to indiscriminately increase the sale of their products – in all their forms.
Prior to the commencement of COP9, Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo confirmed, “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, tobacco control is more important than ever to keep people healthy and to ensure more resilient communities to confront this and any future pandemic. Tobacco control, including funds raised through increased tobacco taxation, has to be an integral part of building back better”.
With every aspect of life affected by COVID-19, Parties to the Convention and the Protocol look set to be galvanized in their efforts to improve tobacco control measures. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided greater incentives than ever for the world to work closely together to push towards the goal of ending the tobacco epidemic. The WHO FCTC provides a road map for what Parties must do. Implementation of its measures should be ramped up in order to achieve that goal.
For further information contact:
Samuel Compton, Media Officer:
comptons@who.int
mediafctc@who.int