Global crises slow down tobacco control progress
New report highlights the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, regional conflicts, and economic instability as key factors slowing down progress in implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - an international treaty that aims to reduce tobacco use and protect public health.
What you need to know:
- Lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, regional conflicts, and economic instability cited as key factors slowing down progress in implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Tobacco control efforts across the world are under serious threat due to multiple global disruptions, according to a new international report backed by 57 civil society organisations.
The report highlights the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, regional conflicts, and economic instability as key factors slowing down progress in implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - an international treaty that aims to reduce tobacco use and protect public health.
The setbacks have led to a staggering increase of 95 million tobacco users globally, who might have quit by 2025 had the treaty implementation continued at its intended pace.
“While global tobacco control remains strong, it's clear that the FCTC is not immune to the pressures of political unrest, poverty, and pandemics,” said Les Hagen, executive director of ASH Canada and lead author of the report.
“The crisis in tobacco control is a wake-up call for governments—including those in Africa—to reinforce their commitments and push forward with effective public health policies.”
In Africa, tobacco use is on the rise, especially among youth and low-income populations, driven by aggressive marketing from the tobacco industry and weak enforcement of tobacco laws. Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa have all ratified the FCTC but face challenges in enforcing key provisions, particularly those requiring protection from industry interference and the use of tobacco taxes to fund prevention and treatment programmes.
Dr Rakesh Gupta of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease emphasised the far-reaching impact of tobacco control on development goals: “Strong implementation of the FCTC doesn't just reduce disease and save lives—it also fights poverty, improves food security, and promotes environmental sustainability, all of which are critical issues in Africa.”
The report warns that the tobacco industry's growing influence over policymakers—especially in low- and middle-income countries—is undermining public health legislation.
Article 5.3 of the FCTC mandates governments to put in place robust safeguards against such interference.
“By fully implementing Article 5.3 of the Convention, participating countries can shield themselves from the influence of the tobacco industry, protect public health, and improve treaty adherence and compliance,” said Lilia Olifer, director of the Smoke-Free Partnership (Europe). “Tobacco companies are the poster child of corporate misbehaviour and need to be restrained by governments”.
To regain lost ground in the fight against tobacco use, the report strongly recommends the urgent adoption of several high-impact measures. These include increasing tobacco taxation, a proven strategy that both reduces consumption and generates revenue that can be reinvested into public health. It also calls for a total ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, to protect especially vulnerable groups like youth from the influence of aggressive tobacco marketing.
The report further emphasises the need for clear, pictorial health warnings on tobacco products, which have been shown to effectively communicate the dangers of smoking, particularly in populations with low literacy levels. In addition, the implementation of comprehensive smoke-free laws is urged to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke and promote healthier public spaces.
Finally, the report stresses the importance of establishing dedicated funding streams for national tobacco control programmes. By allocating specific resources to these efforts, governments can ensure that policies are not only created but also sustained and effectively enforced over time.
Dr Gan Quan, senior vice-president of tobacco control at Vital Strategies, added: “These policies are proven, affordable, and sustainable. Raising tobacco taxes not only saves lives but also generate domestic revenue to support health services.
“We urge participating countries to make up for lost ground on tobacco control by accelerating the implementation of high-impact policies and programmes.”
He added that the proposed policy measures are effective in reducing tobacco use and cost very little to implement. “However, countries can secure more funding through increased tobacco taxes, which will also help to reduce consumption.”
The data was gathered through the Global Tobacco Control Progress Hub, an online platform tracking FCTC implementation across countries. The platform is supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.
