Global conference to strengthen international tobacco control treaty

As the global tobacco epidemic continues to worsen, governments and civil society organizations from around the world will meet in South Africa next month to discuss proven measures that countries can implement to reduce tobacco-related diseases and deaths - which are entirely preventable.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that tobacco use kills 5.4 million people a year. More than 80 percent of these deaths will occur in developing countries in the coming decades. Unless urgent action is taken, one billion people will die worldwide from tobacco use this century. Tobacco use is so devastating to the human body that it is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world.

A total of 160 countries committed to addressing this epidemic have ratified the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - the world's first international treaty dedicated to addressing a public health issue. Periodically, the parties to the FCTC meet to review progress in implementation and to consider measures - such as protocols and guidelines - that could strengthen the hand of governments in making control truly effective.

The 3rd Conference of the Parties to the FCTC will take place in Durban, South Africa from November 17 to November 22 and will be attended by some 800 government delegates and more than 100 observers from civil society structures. The latter are organized under the umbrella of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), a global network of 350 tobacco control organizations that promotes public dialogue and debate on issues related to the FCTC.

The business of the conference will include:
Charting a way forward for an international protocol to tackle the massive illegal trade in tobacco products.
Adopting global guidelines on protecting national public health policies from the influence of the tobacco industry.
Endorsing guidelines on tobacco advertising and mandatory health warnings on product packaging, based on accumulated experience of what works.
Discussing a report on sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing in countries where tobacco is a major cash crop.
Journalists are welcome to attend the conference and will have access to daily technical briefings on the issues involved. Special media conferences will be held at various points in the conference programme.

The FCTC Secretariat will undertake accreditation of journalists for the conference, and the FCA will keep you informed about the process.

WHAT: A six-day conference of all 160 countries party to the FCTC
WHO: Convened by the Secretariat of the FCTC, a unit of the WHO
WHEN: 17 - 22 November 2008
WHERE: International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa

For more information on the 3rd Conference of the Parties to the FCTC see: http://www.who.int/gb/fctc