Targeting the global tobacco epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a pioneering effort in cardiovascular disease reduction on a global scale. “FCTC is the first global health treaty negotiated under the WHO and was developed in response to the enormity of the global tobacco epidemic,” said Dr Judith Mackay, WHO and World Lung Foundation senior advisor, in her keynote presentation at the WCC 2010 earlier today.

The annual mortality from tobacco smoking, pegged at 5 million deaths worldwide in 2007, is projected to double by the year 2030. This increasing trend in global deaths due to tobacco coincides with a rise in global cigarette consumption and a subsequent increase in the number of smokers worldwide, estimated to reach the 1.64 billion mark by 2030.

According to Dr Mackay, adoption of a medical model of tobacco control to address these trends is insufficient. The FCTC provides a comprehensive, international legal framework for combatting the tobacco epidemic, stipulating strict regulation of the content, packaging and labeling of tobacco products; prohibition of tobacco sales to and by minors; prohibition of illicit trade in tobacco products; and enforcement of bans against smoking in work and public areas. The treaty also specifies the need to reduce consumer demand, and to protect the environment and the health of tobacco workers. Moreover, the FCTC supports development of economically viable alternative activities to tobacco manufacture and marketing, and legislative action to deal with liabilities arising from enforcement of tobacco control strategies.

Ratified in 2005, the WHO FCTC has since produced substantial effects on the governments of parties involved in the treaty, encouraging concerted national action on tobacco control. Likewise, the FCTC has demonstrated impact in the non-governmental setting, giving birth to important coalitions and alliances, driving coordination and joint activities, and building up national and international non-government organizations (NGOs), particularly in developing countries.

The FCTC’s recent efforts are framed by the six-pillar mpower – six statements describing strategies to be employed in getting the tobacco epidemic under control. These strategies include:

• monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies
• protecting people from tobacco smoke
• offering help to quit tobacco use
• warning about the dangers of tobacco use
• enforcing bans on tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorships
• raising taxes on tobacco

“The FCTC indicates that the tide of tobacco control action is international, unstoppable, and a necessary public health measure, accepted as good for the wealth and health of nations,” emphasized Dr Mackay.