The Government of Andorra is showing great interest for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and invited the Head of the Convention Secretariat Dr Vera da Costa e Silva to talk about the Convention, the Protocol and the adhesion process.
Andorra has had little national tobacco control legislation with a high smoking prevalence of 38.2% of male smokers and 29% of female smokers, according to the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic of 2017.
Tobacco products advertisement, promotion and sponsorship are not subject to regulation as was taxation for many years. After negotiations with neighbouring countries and to avoid French and Spanish citizens to profit from tax-free products from across the border and give room to the illicit trade, Andorra decided to increase taxes on tobacco products. Nevertheless, the price is still very affordable at around EUR 3.50 for the most popular brand.
The Convention Secretariat is enthusiastic at the idea of working with Andorra to implement the WHO FCTC and the Protocol. New tobacco control policies and programmes would greatly benefit the citizens of Andorra as well as the more regulated bordering countries.