Bahamas WHO FCTC Needs Assessment

Overview

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is an international treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO, which was developed in response to the globalisation of the tobacco epidemic. It was adopted in 2003 and entered into force in 2005. The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based and legally binding international treaty that includes evidence-based tobacco control measures and reaffirms the right of all people to the highest attainable standard of health. Since its adoption it has become one of the most widely and rapidly embraced treaties in the history of the United Nations (UN), with 183 Parties to date.

The Bahamas signed the WHO FCTC on 29 June 2004 and ratified it on 3 November 2009. Nevertheless, since becoming a Party to the WHO FCTC, The Bahamas has not made significant progress towards its implementation. The Needs Assessment process has highlighted that the country's legislative and regulatory frameworks need to be strengthened to ensure full implementation of the treaty obligations set out in the WHO FCTC.