Convention Secretariat offers new support to strengthen implementation of the WHO FCTC
Developing countries are being encouraged to apply for a newly funded project for individually tailored assistance to implement the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the 180-Party international tobacco control treaty.
Applications are sought by Monday, 6 March from Parties to the Convention that are eligible to receive official development assistance, (for more information click here) and that are committed to accelerate WHO FCTC implementation. Go to the FCTC 2030 page.
Recognition of the central role of the WHO FCTC to assist development has been growing recently, with Convention implementation included among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to further promote this role, the theme for the 2017 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is: "Tobacco – a threat to development." Read more about the WNTD 2017
“This ambitious programme will promote the accelerated implementation of the WHO FCTC in developing countries that are Parties to the WHO FCTC through tailored assistance by the Convention Secretariat and United Nations agencies” said Dr Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Head of the Convention Secretariat, WHO FCTC.
Countries will be offered support to implement the WHO FCTC, including treaty obligations to ban tobacco advertising and promotion, to require effective health warnings on tobacco packaging, implement smokefree work and public places, increase tobacco taxation and protect public health policies from tobacco industry interference.
With more than 80% of deaths from the tobacco epidemic forecast to occur in low- and middle-income developing countries (LMICs) this century, tobacco-control efforts must focus beyond the health sector.
“Tobacco control is a development issue and its success relies on the work of other sectors including planning, finance, justice, environment, agriculture and education,” Dr da Costa said.
There is a growing recognition that current tobacco trends and sustainable development cannot coexist. The project will bring support to countries from the wider United Nations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
At least one LMIC will be selected from each WHO region from which applications are received. Chosen Parties will be selected by a panel including the Convention Secretariat, UNDP, WHO and the funding provider.
How to apply:
Applicants must be Parties to the WHO FCTC and eligible to receive official development assistance Click here for more information.
Application forms must be signed by the Head of State or Government, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Health, or any other competent government authority and should then be submitted to the Head of the Convention Secretariat by email to: fctc2030@who.int
Applications will also be assisted by a letter of support from their WHO Country Representative, UNDP Resident Coordinator and/or from other UN Agencies within the country.
The Convention Secretariat will confirm receipt of the application to the WHO FCTC Focal Point.
The Convention and the Development Agenda
The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based “blueprint” for tobacco control policies. Full implementation of the WHO FCTC in LMICs is impeded without integration of a tobacco control into broader development agendas.
The importance of tobacco control in promoting development is recognised in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including two targets under Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and wellbeing (full implementation of the WHO FCTC, target 3.a, and reduction by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, target 3.4). Tobacco control will play an important role in achieving the SDGs.