Media Contact: Megan Manning
manningm@ash.org

Introduction

In 2005, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) entered into force, becoming a legally binding treaty that has now been joined by more than 180 countries. Parties to the FCTC meet every two years (officially called the Conference of the Parties or COP) which serve a purpose similar to Congress in the U.S. or a country’s parliament – COP is where global tobacco policy is written and monitored and where consensus is achieved on how to tackle the tobacco industry and advance health.

The negotiations of the FCTC are what normalized smoke-free policies around the world, the banning of tobacco advertising, the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products, and even the need to protect public health policies from tobacco industry interference. And today, we have the opportunity to set in motion equally groundbreaking public health progress through key decisions at the 10^th Conference of the Parties (COP 10).

Human Rights Decision

At the request of Ecuador with support from Panama, a Human Rights Decision is on the formal agenda for COP 10. This decision will help to formalize the connection between tobacco control and human rights. ASH leads the Global Alliance on Tobacco Control (GATC) task force on Human Rights to build consensus and advocate for the decision. ASH will co-host a side panel during COP 10 on Human Rights, see details below or download the flyer here.

GATC Policy Brief on Human Rights (download all languages here)

Article 2.1 | Endgame

At the request of Canada, for the first time since the original negotiations, FCTC Article 2.1 is on the formal agenda for COP. Article 2.1 calls for Parties to implement measures beyond the specific obligations of the FCTC and is often called the “endgame article.” Canada has also released a draft decision calling for the establishment of an expert group to consider cutting edge anti-tobacco policies to report back to COP 11 in 2025. ASH is leading the Global Alliance on Tobacco Control (GATC) task force on Article 2.1 to coordinate civil society support for the decision. Canada will hold a side luncheon panel during COP 10 on Article 2.1 and has invited ASH to speak, see details below or download the flyer here.

GATC Policy Brief on Article 2.1 (download all languages here)

Article 5.3 | Interference

Article 5.3 serves as a critical safeguard against tobacco industry interference in public health policy, recognizing that the tobacco industry has a fundamental conflict of interest with public health goals. By preventing undue influence from this powerful industry, governments can ensure the implementation and enforcement of evidence-based tobacco control measures. At COP 10, advocates play a pivotal role by raising awareness of the tobacco industry’s tactics and lobbying efforts, sharing best practices for countering interference, and fostering international collaboration.

Article 18 | Environment

At the request of Brazil, Article 18 will be on the COP agenda. Article 18 states that in carrying out their obligations under the FCTC, Parties agree to have due regard to the protection of the environment. Brazil has presented a Draft decision that will be considered by COP 10.  Further work on Article 18 will help address the significant negative environmental impact of tobacco on the environment. ASH is co-hosting a side event on the topic during COP 10, see details below or download the flyer here.

GATC Policy Brief on Article 18 (download all languages here)

Article 19 | Liability

Article 19 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control focuses on liability. Civil and criminal liability can be an excellent tool to help fight back against the tobacco industry, and the FCTC recognized this potential. ASH is co-leading the Global Alliance on Tobacco Control task force on Article 19.

GATC Policy Brief on Article 19 (download all languages here)

All Policy Briefs from GATC

COP10 Delegate Information Kit from the WHO FCTC Secretariat

Events

ASH is hosting or participating in numerous side events at ASH including: