Waterpipes, waterpipe tobacco and waterpipe tobacco smoking: guide to drafting regulation to implement the WHO FCTC

Overview

The purpose of this guide is to support efforts by Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (hereinafter referred to as “WHO FCTC” or “the Convention”) to ensure that their legal measures with respect to waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) are covered in their national legislation and regulations on tobacco control and are in line with the Convention. The guide further reflects recommendations from various guidelines for implementation of articles of the WHO FCTC and those of the relevant decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP). Effective implementation requires comprehensive regulation of waterpipe tobacco, as well as waterpipe and waterpipe accessory features that can affect the toxicity, addictiveness or attractiveness of WTS. The guide and the accompanying sample legislation template aim to help Parties identify and fill gaps that may exist in their regulation of WTS under their existing national tobacco control legislation and regulations. The guide does not aim to promote separate legislation for WTS; instead, it aims to ensure that Parties’ comprehensive tobacco control legislation or regulations cover WTS.