The Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) convened a strategic and successful side event titled “Parliamentary engagement: Strengthening collaboration on tobacco control and beyond”, on the margins of the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.
The session brought together parliamentarians from more than ten countries to discuss how legislative action can accelerate the implementation of the WHO FCTC and its Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. Participants actively exchanged experiences and ideas on advancing tobacco control measures and integrating them within broader health and sustainable development agendas.
The event underscored that tobacco control remains a key priority in national public health agendas and highlighted the vital role that parliamentarians play in shaping laws, approving budgets, and overseeing implementation.
The side event also featured the launch of "MythBusters: Debunking tobacco industry misinformation," a new publication developed jointly by the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The document aims to dispel common myths propagated by the tobacco industry and provide policymakers with evidence-based information to counter misleading narratives that hinder effective tobacco control policies.
Speakers included representatives from national parliaments, international organizations, and the WHO FCTC Secretariat, who shared insights on the importance of strong parliamentary engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration. Participants expressed their commitment to continue working with the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC to strengthen implementation efforts at the national, regional, and global levels.
