10 February 2024 – The Tenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has concluded with a far-reaching decision that will protect the environment and the health of people throughout the world from the ravages of tobacco.

“We have taken an historic decision on Article 18,” said Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the WHO FCTC Secretariat, describing action to strengthen the article of WHO FCTC focused on the protection of the environment and the health of all people.

“The decision urges Parties to take account of the environmental impacts from the cultivation, manufacture, consumption and waste disposal of tobacco products, and to strengthen the implementation of this article, including through national policies related to tobacco and protection of the environment,” Dr Blanco Marquizo said.

The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the WHO FCTC, which is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO FCTC has led international tobacco-control efforts for more than 20 years.  CONTINUE