The WHO FCTC Knowledge Hubs Managers Meeting in Bangkok reaffirmed our shared commitment to collaboration & effective WHO FCTC implementation. By connecting research, policy & practice, the KHubs support Parties through evidence-sharing, technical assistance & capacity-building.

🇭🇰🤝 Strengthening collaboration for tobacco control The Department of Health of the Hong Kong SAR, China Government welcomed the new Head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), Andrew Black, for an exchange on tobacco control progress, strategies and future measures. Hong Kong’s experience in advancing comprehensive tobacco control offers valuable lessons for jurisdictions working to protect people from the harms of tobacco and nicotine. The meeting also highlighted the important role of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and evidence-based action in advancing the implementation of the WHO FCTC. #FCTCSavesLives Read more ⤵️ info.gov.hk/gia/general/2026…

🌍 Eight years of the Protocol: stronger cooperation against illicit tobacco trade Today, 25 September, marks 8 years of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. 🎉 With 73 Parties, the Protocol continues to strengthen international cooperation to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute illicit trade in tobacco products. 🤝🚨 Illicit tobacco trade does not stop at borders. Tackling it requires collective action across countries and sectors — from customs and tax authorities to police and law enforcement. 🌐 🔎 Eight years on, we remain committed to: ✅ Strengthening cooperation and information sharing ✅ Sharing expertise and good practices ✅ Improving investigation and prosecution ✅ Supporting effective implementation of the Protocol More Parties. Stronger implementation. Greater international cooperation. Together, we can strengthen the global response to the evolving illicit tobacco market. 💪🌍 fctc.who.int/newsroom/news/i…

🚨 Illicit trade in tobacco products is not just about stopping illegal products at the border. 🔗 The WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products takes a comprehensive approach — strengthening: 📋 supply-chain controls & due diligence 🔎 tracking & tracing 🗂️ record-keeping ⚖️ enforcement, seizures & sanctions 🤝 international cooperation 🌍 Because tackling illicit trade requires action across the entire supply chain — and cooperation across borders. fctc.who.int/protocol

🌍 8 years of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products This Friday marks the 8th anniversary of the Protocol. The Protocol helps countries tackle the illicit trade in tobacco products while addressing its wider impacts — protecting health, reducing crime and helping to tackle poverty. Because it is all connected. 🤝 By strengthening international cooperation and action, Parties can work together to address illicit tobacco trade and its far-reaching consequences. fctc.who.int/protocol

🇺🇦 Ukraine marks 20 years of commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Parliament) has approved a resolution marking the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The resolution recognizes that implementation of the Convention has had a “leading and decisive impact” in addressing the tobacco use epidemic in Ukraine, contributing to reduced tobacco use among population groups, including children. The Verkhovna Rada also recognized the importance of protecting public health from the vested and commercial interests of the tobacco industry. The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC warmly welcomes this milestone and Ukraine’s continued commitment to advancing public health through evidence-based tobacco control policies. 🔗 Read the resolution: zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/… #FCTCSavesLives

The WHO FCTC Secretariat participated in the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office Global Health Leadership Course, connecting with a new generation of health leaders. ‍⚕️🌱 🤝 In the Philippines, the Secretariat also worked with WHO, government partners and the Asian Development Bank to strengthen collaboration on tobacco control, including efforts to address the illicit trade in tobacco products and advance sustainable financing for health. 💰🏥 🛡️ Protecting public health from tobacco industry interference remains essential to ensuring that health policies are shaped by evidence and the public interest. 📣 Strong leadership, international cooperation and effective implementation of the WHO FCTC and its Protocol are critical to protecting people from the harms of tobacco and building healthier futures. Strengthening health leadership for stronger tobacco control and healthier communities. 🌍💚 🌱 Investing in tobacco control is investing in health, sustainable development and future generations. #FCTCSaveLives fctc.who.int/newsroom/news/i…

WHO FCTC engages with @UNITE_MPNetwork Global Summit 2026 in the Philippines At the #UNITEGlobalSummit 2026 in Manila, the WHO FCTC Secretariat engaged with parliamentarians and global health leaders to highlight the critical role of tobacco taxation and sustainable financing in advancing tobacco control and the Sustainable Development Goals. 💡 Investing in tobacco control is investing in healthier people, stronger economies and a more sustainable future. Read more: fctc.who.int/newsroom/news/i… 🌍 Stronger tobacco control needs stronger political commitment and sustainable financing. #FCTCSavesLives

🚬😮‍💨 Tobacco smoke pollutes the air we breathe — indoors and outdoors. I call on Parties to fully implement Article 8 of the WHO FCTC to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke and help ensure clean air in indoor public places and outdoor spaces. 🌍 Clean air is essential for healthy people and a healthy planet. 🍃 -> iris.who.int/bitstream/handl… #FCTCSavesLives #CleanAirDay #HealthyAirHealthyPlanet

📣 Join this timely conversation on Tobacco and Infertility What does the evidence tell us about the link between tobacco smoke exposure and infertility? This webinar explores the growing body of evidence on tobacco and reproductive health, drawing on key findings from the forthcoming WHO Knowledge Summary on Tobacco and Infertility. Experts from WHO Headquarters (Switzerland), McMaster University (Canada), Shanghai Health Promotion Center (China), and Rainbow Hearts Foundation (Uganda) will discuss: 🔹 The impact of tobacco smoke exposure on fertility and reproductive health 🔹 Relevant policy measures 🔹 Opportunities to strengthen prevention and cessation support 🌍 Language: English, with interpretation in Chinese, French and Spanish 🎥 A recording will be made available after the webinar. 📅 9 September 2026 🕐 05:00 EDT (Hamilton) | 11:00 CEST (Geneva) | 12:00 EAT (Kampala) | 17:00 CST (Shanghai) Register here -> who.zoom.us/webinar/register…

🌍 @WHO World No Tobacco Day 2027 Awards. This year’s theme is especially important: 🧠 Mental well-being – protecting young minds from tobacco and nicotine. The awards recognize individuals, organizations, government departments and other groups that have made an outstanding contribution to advancing tobacco control and protecting people—especially young people—from the harms of tobacco and nicotine. 👏 If you know a person or organization whose leadership, innovation, advocacy or commitment has made a real difference, this is an opportunity to shine a light on their work and celebrate their impact. 📅 Nomination deadline: 20 November 2026, 17:00 GMT 🔗 Learn more and submit a nomination: who.int/news-room/articles-d… #FCTCSavesLives #WorldNoTobaccoDay #WNTD2027

🌍 Africa’s tobacco story is changing — and the new data demand attention. 📊 The new WHO report, Status of tobacco production and trade in Africa, 2nd ed., highlights a troubling trend: while global tobacco-leaf production declined by nearly 19% between 2012 and 2024, production in Africa increased by 8.6%. 🌱 Africa produced more than 639,000 tonnes of tobacco leaf in 2024, accounting for around 11% of global production. At the same time, the continent’s cigarette import bill more than doubled, rising from US$833 million to US$1.77 billion. 🚨 This is about more than tobacco control. It is a health, trade, development and environmental issue. 👩🏾‍🌾 Tobacco cultivation can expose farmers and workers to nicotine, pesticides and other health risks, while contributing to soil degradation, deforestation, water use and environmental damage. 🍽️ Tobacco production also competes for land, water and resources that could support food production and more sustainable livelihoods. 🤝 This is where Articles 17 and 18 of the WHO FCTC matter. 🌾 Article 17 calls on Parties to promote economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers and growers, while Article 18 calls for attention to the protection of health and the environment in relation to tobacco cultivation and production: fctc.who.int/resources/publi… 💡 The goal is not to leave tobacco farmers behind. It is to support a transition towards sustainable, viable livelihoods that protect farmers, communities, food security and the environment. 🔄 As tobacco production continues to grow in parts of Africa, implementing Articles 17 and 18 becomes increasingly important. 🌱 The question is not simply how much tobacco Africa produces — but what kind of agricultural and economic future we want to build. 📖 Read the WHO report: Status of tobacco production and trade in Africa who.int/publications/i/item/… #Africa 🌍 🚭 #SustainableDevelopment 🌱 #FoodSecurity 🌾 #Farmers #Environment 🌳 @FAO @FAOclimate

🚨 Flavoured tobacco is a trap. 🍓🍬🌿 Sweet, fruity, minty and other flavours can make tobacco products more appealing and mask the harshness of tobacco smoke — helping attract and sustain tobacco use. 📜 Under the WHO FCTC Articles 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, Parties are encouraged to prohibit or restrict ingredients that increase the palatability and attractiveness of tobacco products, including flavourings, sugars, sweeteners, herbs and spices. 🌍 And countries are taking action: over 40 countries now ban flavoured tobacco products. 🚭 Flavours don’t make tobacco safer — they can make it more attractive. 👉 Regulate flavours. Reduce attractiveness. Protect public health. Read more -> fctc.who.int/resources/publi…