FCTC

Oil and gas lobbyists have deep pockets and access to politicians, but an EU ban could be in the pipeline

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Something similar is already in place for the tobacco industry in order to safeguard public health.

Key Points: 
  • Something similar is already in place for the tobacco industry in order to safeguard public health.
  • The European Parliament is set to examine what lessons can be learned to protect the environment from the harms associated with continued use of fossil fuels.
  • Restrictions on tobacco lobbyists, known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), came into force in 2005 and are legally binding in 182 countries.
  • Litigation in the US has shown that some of the major oil companies actively engaged in deception, denial and increasingly now delay tactics.
  • But delaying policies to address the climate emergency pose a huge societal risk.

Dominating discussions

  • Many leading climate scientists are growing increasingly concerned about the continued influence of oil and gas lobbyists.
  • The industry still enjoys privileged access to the highest reaches of decision making in Europe.
  • The EU’s delegation to the recent COP28 included over 130 oil and gas industry lobbyists.
  • What happens with lobbying will give a sense of how Europe will grapple with the challenges of the transition to low carbon energy.


Will Dinan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Tobacco plain packaging progress continues worldwide with 42 countries and territories moving forward with regulations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Presently, 42 countries and territories are actively moving ahead with plain packaging, with 25 having adopted the measure, 3 having it in practice, and 14 in the process of implementation.

Key Points: 
  • Presently, 42 countries and territories are actively moving ahead with plain packaging, with 25 having adopted the measure, 3 having it in practice, and 14 in the process of implementation.
  • progressing
    "There is a strong global trend for countries to implement plain packaging," says Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst, CCS.
  • There are now 25 countries and territories that have adopted plain packaging, up from only 9 countries in 2018 and 21 countries in 2021.
  • Guidelines under the international tobacco treaty, the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), recommend that countries consider implementing plain packaging.

Tobacco plain packaging progress continues worldwide with 42 countries and territories moving forward with regulations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An international report released today by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) reveals ongoing advancements in tobacco plain packaging worldwide. Presently, 42 countries and territories are actively moving ahead with plain packaging, with 25 having adopted the measure, 3 having it in practice, and 14 in the process of implementation. The CCS report, titled Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report, details global progress on plain packaging, ranks 211 countries and territories on the size of their health warnings on cigarette packages, and lists the 138 countries and territories that now require graphic picture warnings.

Key Points: 
  • Presently, 42 countries and territories are actively moving ahead with plain packaging, with 25 having adopted the measure, 3 having it in practice, and 14 in the process of implementation.
  • progressing
    "There is a strong global trend for countries to implement plain packaging," says Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst, CCS.
  • There are now 25 countries and territories that have adopted plain packaging, up from only 9 countries in 2018 and 21 countries in 2021.
  • Guidelines under the international tobacco treaty, the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), recommend that countries consider implementing plain packaging.

QFG Asks WHO to Consider the Lives of a Billion Smokers in Panama Talks

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 29, 2024

Dr. Lorenzo Mata Jr., president of Quit for Good, said the WHO should implement FCTC Article 1 (d) on harm reduction strategies to help smokers.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Lorenzo Mata Jr., president of Quit for Good, said the WHO should implement FCTC Article 1 (d) on harm reduction strategies to help smokers.
  • "Offering safer nicotine products to millions of adult smokers who want to reduce their exposure to toxic substances from smoke is common sense.
  • This is what tobacco harm reduction (THR) is all about, which the WHO FCTC refuses to implement despite being part of the global treaty," Dr. Mata said.
  • Dr. Ramström served as a WHO expert and as secretary general of the 4th World Conference on Smoking and Health.

Global Tobacco Control Efforts Have Slowed

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 22, 2023

EDMONTON, AB and BALTIMORE, Nov. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - A global barometer of tobacco control reveals that implementation of several high-impact tobacco control policy measures required by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) decelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, following 12 years of steady progress.

Key Points: 
  • EDMONTON, AB and BALTIMORE, Nov. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - A global barometer of tobacco control reveals that implementation of several high-impact tobacco control policy measures required by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) decelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, following 12 years of steady progress.
  • "We are very concerned with the deceleration in the adoption of high-impact tobacco control policies," said Joanna Cohen of the Institute for Global Tobacco Control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
  • "This slowdown is a wake-up call and we urge all countries to adopt strong measures to get tobacco control back on track and reignite global efforts to reduce tobacco use," said Les Hagen of ASH Canada .
  • "The enactment of high-impact tobacco control policies was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we cannot allow the tobacco industry to take further advantage of the situation.

Quit for Good Signs Global Statement of Support for Tobacco Harm Reduction

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Quit For Good is a non-profit organization promoting harm reduction to mitigate the damage caused by cigarette smoke on human health.

Key Points: 
  • Quit For Good is a non-profit organization promoting harm reduction to mitigate the damage caused by cigarette smoke on human health.
  • It is one of the 14 scientific organizations in four continents who support the consensus statement of SCOHRE that the WHO FCTC should not ignore the evidence in support of THR any more.
  • It is also one of the two organizations based in the Philippines that signed the statement, the other being the Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines (HARAP).
  • He said providing safer nicotine products to reduce harm for smokers is common sense as smokers are already offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to quit or reduce harm.

ECST: Blocking Smokers Access to Better Alternatives Transgress Human Rights

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023

"Adult smokers should be given assistance and information to quit smoking, such as access to safer alternatives," Saligupta said.

Key Points: 
  • "Adult smokers should be given assistance and information to quit smoking, such as access to safer alternatives," Saligupta said.
  • The open letter says that encouraging harm reduction helps people take positive steps to protect their health while respecting their freedoms and rights.
  • Saligupta said no less than the UN Human Rights Office recognizes the harm reduction approach to drug use as an "obligation" under the Right to Health.
  • Depriving them of this opportunity is not just a violation of human rights but also a failure to help adult smokers enjoy better lives," said Saligupta.

WHO Strategies Against Smoking Currently Insufficient--ITS Paper

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 23, 2023

He has, for example, served as a WHO expert and as secretary general of the 4th World Conference on Smoking and Health.

Key Points: 
  • He has, for example, served as a WHO expert and as secretary general of the 4th World Conference on Smoking and Health.
  • "However, increasing number of scientists and national governments believe that these new products represent an opportunity that can accelerate the demise of smoking.
  • To the extent that they can act as a substitute and displace smoking thereby improving public health," the paper says.
  • We have known for decades that people smoke for nicotine but die from the tar," the paper says.

Quit For Good Recommends WHO Modernize Their Tobacco Control Strategy

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 9, 2023

Dr. Fernando Fernandez Bueno, a Spanish physician, agreed with Dr. Mata: "The debate on tobacco control must be based on scientific arguments and clinical data, moving away from mere opinions and emotional responses.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Fernando Fernandez Bueno, a Spanish physician, agreed with Dr. Mata: "The debate on tobacco control must be based on scientific arguments and clinical data, moving away from mere opinions and emotional responses.
  • This is the only way to make progress in the fight against tobacco."
  • When we lose the trust of the public, it affects us on a far broader range of issues than just tobacco and nicotine."
  • Dr. Mata highlighted that the FCTC's tobacco control strategies are failing as the number of smokers globally is not decreasing.

Portugal: Oral Tobacco, Nicotine Pouch and Heated Tobacco Regulation - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 21, 2023

The "Portugal: Oral Tobacco, Nicotine Pouch and Heated Tobacco Regulation" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Portugal: Oral Tobacco, Nicotine Pouch and Heated Tobacco Regulation" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current regulatory framework in place in Portugal for heated tobacco products, covering all policy areas.
  • Nicotine pouches without tobacco are not regulated by tobacco legislation and would either fall under Infarmed's authority or general consumer laws.
  • This report provides a detailed analysis of Portugal's regulatory framework for oral tobacco and nicotine pouches, covering all policy areas.