Global Progress Achieved at WHO Tobacco Treaty Negotiations (FCTC COP 10) in Panama

ASH welcomes several groundbreaking decisions that will kick start global progress to accelerate the end of the tobacco epidemic:

• Human Rights Decision: encourages Parties to consider including WHO FCTC principles and implementation efforts when engaging with the United Nations human rights mechanisms.
• Article 2.1 on Forward Looking Measures (Tobacco Endgame) Decision: an Expert group was established to explore cutting-edge policies which go beyond minimum FCTC measures and report back to COP11. This will support progress towards the tobacco endgame.
• Article 18 (Environment) Decision: recognizing the extensive harm caused to the environment by the entire lifecycle of the cigarette, from production to use and disposal including the environmental impact of filters.
• Article 19 (Liability): re-established an expert group on liability, to help inform Parties on how to use civil and criminal laws to take legal action against the tobacco industry.
• Panama Declaration: highlighted the above Decisions and reiterated the determination of Parties to prioritize their right to protect public health.