WHO FCTC

30/01/2026

🚭 Myth vs Fact starts now.

To***co taxes hurt the poor.

✅Low-income communities suffer the most from to***co-related diseases and are aggressively targeted by the to***co industry. When to***co prices rise, lower-income smokers are more likely to quit or never start, leading to better health, lower medical costs, and more money for food, education, and essentials.

🌟Bottom line: To***co taxes save lives, reduce poverty, and close health gaps.



https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/i/item/debunking-to***co-industry-misinformation

29/01/2026

🚭 Myth vs Fact starts now.

✅Increases in to***co taxes hurt the economy

To***co doesn’t help the economy—it drains it.

Money spent on ci******es often replaces spending on food, housing, and education.

Smoking pushes families and economies under pressure.

🌟Higher to***co taxes help families spend on what really matters



https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/i/item/debunking-to***co-industry-misinformation

27/01/2026

🚭 Myth vs Fact starts now.

✅Higher to***co taxes work.

They reduce consumption—especially among young people—while increasing government revenue.

🌟A win for health, a win for development.



https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/i/item/debunking-to***co-industry-misinformation

26/01/2026

🚭 Myth vs Fact starts now.

We’re launching a 14-part series to debunk to***co industry misinformation using clear, evidence-based facts.

This series draws from a practical reference guide designed to support parliamentarians and government officials with ready-to-use, evidence-based counter-arguments.

Truth over tactics. Let’s end to***co industry myths for good.

https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/i/item/debunking-to***co-industry-misinformation

23/01/2026

🚨 Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC is clear: protect policies from the to***co industry.

The to***co industry is a deceiving, lying company that uses every possible forum to pretend it’s a fair player and a partner for development and health. This is a lie. They manipulate, mislead, and put profit over health and national economies — undermining real progress and harming people. It’s time to call out this deception and uphold public health integrity. 🔥💔

Key takeaways from Article 5.3 guidelines:

1️⃣ There is a fundamental conflict of interest between the to***co industry and public health — partnership is never acceptable.
2️⃣ Governments must limit interactions with the to***co industry and ensure full transparency when interaction is unavoidable.
3️⃣ The to***co industry must not influence public policy, directly or indirectly, including through CSR, front groups, or economic narratives.

Public health comes first. Always.🔥



🔗Read the official WHO FCTC/5.3 guidelines: https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/m/item/guidelines-for-implementation-of-article-5.3

🔗Visit the 5.3 resources page:
https://fctc.who.int/newsroom/spotlight/5-3

21/01/2026

In 2026, the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products continue to provide the foundation for coordinated global action on to***co control.

We look forward to more countries joining the WHO FCTC and acceding to the Protocol, strengthening collective commitment to protect public health and address the challenges posed by to***co use and illicit trade in to***co products.

Ratification and implementation is more than a legal milestone—it reflects a commitment to implement evidence-based measures that strengthen public health systems, reduce to***co-related disease and death, and safeguard government revenues.

Implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol supports smoke-free environments, strong to***co taxation, comprehensive health warnings, and robust systems to address illicit trade.

Through continued political commitment and expanded participation, the WHO FCTC and its Protocol will remain central to advancing health, equity, and sustainable development in 2026 and beyond.



https://fctc.who.int

29/12/2025

19/12/2025

Dear friends,

As 2025 comes to an end, we wish to send our compliments from the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control (WHO FCTC).

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the WHO FCTC coming into force this year. We appreciate you celebrating this major landmark for public health and sustainable development with us.
Read more: https://fctc.who.int/newsroom/events/20th-anniversary-of-the-entry-into-force-of-the-who-framework-convention-on-to***co-control

To end the global to***co epidemic, we look forward to supporting all Parties to implement the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products in 2026 and beyond.

We wish you and your families the very best for the upcoming year.

Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control

10/12/2025

The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC is delighted to be attending the seventh session of the United Nations United Nations Environment Assembly for the first time - a true testament to our commitment to strengthen relations and maximize synergies with the environment sector and UN Environment Programme 💚

This engagement comes on the heels of a major step by the Conference of the Parties : Decision FCTC/COP11(10) on the implementation of Article 18, which reinforces Parties’ commitment to addressing the environmental harms caused by to***co across its entire life cycle — from cultivation to waste. 🚭🌱

The decision (FCTC/COP11(10)) calls for:

✔️ Stronger evidence and research on to***co’s environmental impacts

✔️ Better waste management and regulatory options for to***co and ni****ne products

✔️ Protection of environmental policies from to***co industry interference

✔️ Enhanced multisectoral collaboration and alignment with global environmental agreements

Together, these efforts bring us closer to a world where both people and the planet are protected from the harms of to***co. 💙 🌏 🌎 🌍

🔗 Read the full COP11 decision here:

https://fctc.who.int/resources/cop-decisions/i/cop-11/fctc-cop11(10)-implementation-of-article-18-of-the-who-fctc

10/12/2025

The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC is delighted to be attending the seventh session of the United Nations United Nations Environment Assembly for the first time - a true testament to our commitment to strengthen relations and maximize synergies with the environment sector and UN Environment Programme 💚

This engagement comes on the heels of a major step by the Conference of the Parties : Decision FCTC/COP11(10) on the implementation of Article 18, which reinforces Parties’ commitment to addressing the environmental harms caused by to***co across its entire life cycle — from cultivation to waste. 🚭🌱

The decision (FCTC/COP11(10)) calls for:
✔️ Stronger evidence and research on to***co’s environmental impacts
✔️ Better waste management and regulatory options for to***co and ni****ne products
✔️ Protection of environmental policies from to***co industry interference
✔️ Enhanced multisectoral collaboration and alignment with global environmental agreements

Together, these efforts bring us closer to a world where both people and the planet are protected from the harms of to***co. 💙 🌏 🌎 🌍

🔗 Read the full COP11 decision here:

https://fctc.who.int/resources/cop-decisions/i/cop-11/fctc-cop11(10)-implementation-of-article-18-of-the-who-fctc

05/12/2025

We welcome Yemen to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products family. 🎉

With 72 Parties, we are taking another important step forward.

By eliminating illicit trade, we help build a world where development is inclusive, resources serve the common good, and no one is left behind. 🌟

https://fctc.who.int/protocol