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Tobacco

Tobacco Control Initiatives

Global Tobacco Control Efforts

The World Health Organization website contains a page dedicated to the WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative. This website includes information on such matters as:
  • the health impact of tobacco use
  • rates of tobacco use internationally
  • tobacco control research and effective interventions
  • upcoming events
  • tobacco industry documentation.
The Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) is a WHO cabinet project created to focus international attention, resources and action on the global tobacco pandemic that kills five million people a year today.

By about 2030, tobacco will kill 10 million people a year, more than the combined death toll from malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and major childhood conditions. Over seventy percent of these deaths will occur in the developing world.

Every tobacco death is preventable. That is TFI's message and challenge.

A cigarette is the only consumer product which, when consumed as desired, kills half of its regular consumers. Globalisation of marketing and trade in tobacco products means that all countries need to take strong action individually and together if their populations are to become tobacco-free.

WHO has led the way with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which is the world's first set of multilaterally negotiated rules devoted entirely to a major health issue.

On 21 May 2003 it was unanimously adopted by WHO's 192 Member States. This new legal instrument addresses issues as diverse as tobacco advertising and promotion, agricultural diversification, regulation, smuggling, excise tax levels, treatment of tobacco dependence and smoke-free areas.

The FCTC is a process and product. The process activates all those areas of governance that have a direct impact on public health.

Science and economics mesh with legislation and litigation.

Health ministers are working with their counterparts in finance, trade, labour, agriculture and social affairs ministries to give public health the place it deserves.

The FCTC is no ordinary Convention - it is potentially a public health movement.



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