Today, the Convention Secretariat, which serves as the secretariat of both the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation(Fiocruz), an institution of the federal public administration under the Ministry of Health of Brazil, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding under which Fiocruz, through its Center for Tobacco and Health Studies (CETAB) of the National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca (ENSP) will perform the functions of a WHO FCTC knowledge hub for Articles 17; provision of support for economically viable alternative activities and 18; protection of the environment and the health of persons) of the WHO FCTC.
Tobacco growing is labor-intensive, soil-depleting and harms the health of farmers who make low-or even no- profit out of it. Furthermore, tobacco’s total environmental footprint is comparable to that of entire countries and its production is often more environmentally damaging than other essential commodities such as food crops 1. It has been estimated that 10 to 20 million malnourished people worldwide could be fed if food crops were grown instead of tobacco 2.
Supporting farmers in shifting to higher value crops or alternative economic activities improves farmer’s health, increases their incomes, contributes to protect the environment.
The virtual signing ceremony
Speaking at a virtual signing ceremony held today, Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of Secretariat of the WHO FCTC said: “We are delighted to welcome Fiocruz in Brazil to the family of WHO FCTC Knowledge Hubs. There is no doubt that Brazil has a wealth of expertise to offer in this area. Ultimately, we want to collectively strengthen our support to Parties to the Convention in developing strategies on alternatives to tobacco growing, as part of their national development plans, and on environmental issues related to Article 18 of the WHO FCTC.”
Dr. Nísia Verônica Trindade Lima, President of Fiocruz, remarked: "Brazil is a reference for tobacco control in the world. This recognition as a Knowledge Hub of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC is the result of early work initiated by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in the 1990s. The Tobacco and Health Studies Center (Cetab) is engaged in surveillance, training of professionals and monitoring industry actions in the country. Also, through articles 17 and 18 of the WHO FCTC, it will play an important role in reducing the economic and health impacts related to the decrease in tobacco production. Through this Knowledge Hub, we will be able to foster our cooperation and expand this work."
The virtual signing ceremony was the first of its kind for the Convention Secretariat, largely spurred by travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic of COVID-19. It was attended by almost 60 participants who connected through virtual means.
More about the role of the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Articles 17 and 18
The Articles 17 and 18 Knowledge Hub in Brazil will join other WHO FCTC knowledge hubs in assisting Parties to strengthen their implementation in specific areas of the Convention. The functions of the Knowledge Hub would include, inter alias, “to develop, analyse, synthesize and disseminate to the Parties to the Convention knowledge and information relating to matters under its expertise in relation to the Convention” in accordance with Articles 17 and 18 of the Convention, with a view to promoting and fostering scientific and technical international cooperation among the Parties to the Convention.
This Knowledge Hub will help the Convention Secretariat in capitalizing on opportunities regionally and globally to provide a better coordination of efforts to promote alternatives to tobacco growing based on the experience of Brazil, primarily targeted at low- and lower-middle income tobacco growing economies, particularly the ones in Africa.
Note to the media:
Fiocruz
Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) Foundation was established on May 25, 1900 and since then has been producing and disseminating knowledge and technologies aimed at the strengthening and consolidation of health systems and contribute to the promotion of health and quality of life of the population. Fiocruz is an institution of the federal public administration under the Ministry of Health of Brazil.
The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC
The Secretariat is a global authority concerning the implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The Convention Secretariat is an entity hosted by the World Health Organization in Geneva and cooperates with relevant departments of WHO and other competent international organizations and bodies, and non-governmental organizations accredited as observers to the Conference of the Parties.
For more information please contact:
Ms Mitchel Lara
Communications web officer
Contact: mediafctc@who.int