Tobacco

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which came into force on 27 February 2005 is an international legal instrument (Treaty) designed to address the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption worldwide.

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) entered into force on 27 February 2005 making the provisions of the treaty legally binding for the first 40 Contracting Parties to the Convention. Australia ratified the FCTC on 27 October 2004.

The FCTC is the first global public health treaty and aims to advance international cooperation to protect present and future generations from the preventable devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. The treaty commits nations to implement policies on tobacco price and tax increases, banning or restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship, labelling with more prominent health warnings, reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, smoking cessation treatments and illicit trade.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the Convention that will decide on technical, procedural and financial matters relating to the implementation of the Treaty. The first session of COP took place in Geneva from 6-17 February 2006 and the second session of COP was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 30 June 2007 to 6 July 2007.

Up to date information on the FCTC including: the FCTC Text; records of FCTC negotiations; information of upcoming FCTC meetings and events; and up to date lists of signatories and Contracting Parties to the Convention can be found at the WHO FCTC website at http://www.who.int/tobacco/framework/en/ The Framework Convention Alliance website also contains up to date information on the FCTC and can be found at http://www.fctc.org/