WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Title	WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Date	May 21, 2003
Location	Geneva, Switzerland
Effective	February 27, 2005
Condition	40 ratifications
Signatories	168
Parties	182
Depositary	Secretary-General of the United Nations

Contents

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an international treaty aimed at reducing the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco use, which is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and heart disease, as highlighted by the World Health Organization and supported by American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The treaty is a key component of the global strategy to combat the tobacco epidemic, which is a major public health concern, as emphasized by Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Margaret Chan, former Director-General of the World Health Organization. The treaty has been ratified by numerous countries, including United States, China, India, and Brazil, and has been supported by various organizations, such as American Lung Association, National Cancer Institute, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Introduction

The World Health Organization played a crucial role in the development of the treaty, with the support of United Nations, World Bank, and European Union. The treaty is based on the principles of public health, human rights, and sustainable development, as outlined in the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the World Health Assembly resolutions. The treaty has been endorsed by various international organizations, including International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and World Medical Association. The treaty's implementation is also supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Michael R. Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York City.

The treaty was adopted by the World Health Assembly on May 21, 2003, with the support of Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Lee Jong-wook, former Director-General of the World Health Organization. The treaty was opened for signature on June 16, 2003, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, and was signed by 168 countries, including Australia, Canada, and Japan. The treaty entered into force on February 27, 2005, after being ratified by 40 countries, including Germany, France, and United Kingdom. The treaty's development was also influenced by the work of Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States, and Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa.

The treaty sets out a range of provisions to reduce tobacco use, including smoking bans, taxation, and regulation of tobacco products, as recommended by the World Health Organization and supported by American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The treaty also requires countries to implement warning labels on tobacco products, bans on tobacco advertising, and protection of non-smokers from secondhand smoke, as emphasized by Surgeon General of the United States and National Cancer Institute. The treaty's provisions are also supported by European Commission, World Trade Organization, and International Labour Organization.

The implementation of the treaty is supported by the World Health Organization, which provides technical assistance and guidance to countries, as well as United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, and World Bank. The treaty's implementation is also monitored by the Conference of the Parties, which is composed of representatives from countries that have ratified the treaty, including China, India, and Brazil. The treaty's implementation has been influenced by the work of Michael Marmot, former Chairman of the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Determinants of Health, and Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners In Health.

The treaty has had a significant impact on reducing tobacco use worldwide, with many countries implementing smoking bans and taxation on tobacco products, as reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. The treaty has also led to increased awareness of the health risks of tobacco use, with many countries implementing public education campaigns, as supported by American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The treaty's impact has been recognized by Nobel Prize laureates, including Al Gore and Rajendra Pachauri, former Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Despite the progress made, there are still significant challenges to implementing the treaty, including tobacco industry interference, lack of resources, and limited capacity in some countries, as highlighted by World Health Organization and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The treaty's implementation is also challenged by the global economic crisis, which has led to reduced funding for tobacco control programs, as reported by World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The treaty's challenges have been addressed by Margaret Chan, former Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, current Director-General of the World Health Organization, who have emphasized the need for increased funding and support for tobacco control programs, as supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Category:Tobacco control