Overview to WHO FCTC
and Articles 17&18 and its
impact on the Tobacco
Sector
Antonio Abrunhosa
Mercedes Vázquez
FCTC
1. FCTC: The first global world treaty adopted by the
WHO in May 2003. Entered into force in May 2005;
2. Ratified by 174 countries;
3. Objective: “to reduce continually and substantially the
prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco
smoke.”
4. The implementation of the various articles is pushed
forward by guidelines.
FCTC Articles: Process 2010
2011
Art. 9&10
Discussions in Working Groups
Art. 9&10
Deadline for Parties to submit comments
Art. 9&10
Deadline for Parties to
submit comments
CoP4 Nov.
15-20
Informal working
group on a protocol to eliminate illicit
trade on tobacco products
Second meeting of
the working group with exact dates to
be confirmed
2012
Art. 9&10 / 17&18
Discussions OF Working Groups
New text on Art.
17&18 to be circulated
CoP5 Nov.
15-20
Final Doc.
on Art. 17&18
FCTC Articles 9&10
! The treaty contains 38 articles, some of them related
closely to tobacco growing.
! Articles are generally broad and vague.
! Guidelines are developed to provide specific details on
how countries should implement the articles
FCTC Articles 17&18
A shift in Focus
• From research on the negative effects of tobacco
growing……
• …..to the development of economically viable
alternative livelihoods to tobacco growing
FCTC Articles 17&18
no comparison with other crops
• No assessment of the pollution, environmental
degradation, poverty and disease caused by other
crops or industries.
• Total disregard of evidence provided by eminent
institutions such as World Bank, FAO and other UN agencies or local ministries comparing tobacco to
other crops.
FCTC Articles 17&18
No assesment of alternative
livelihood
• The problem is not to grow another crop instead of
tobacco, but to find another crop or activity with:
" a ready market
" same level of income as tobacco
" same level of employment
• No mechanism of support to switch to alternatives
FCTC Articles 17&18-Tobacco Growers excluded from
dialogue
• Despite the claim that growers should be involved,
the FCTC excludes tobacco growers from dialogue
• According to the FCTC the only growers who might
be involved are disgruntled tobacco farmers
representing a tiny minority of the class (public hearing in Brazilia experience)
Conference of the Parties Nov 2010:
Guidelines
Guidelines were discussed and partially approved on
the composition of tobacco products (articles 9 and 10);
Recommendations were made for alternative
livelihoods to tobacco growing (articles 17 and 18);
A new working group was created to work on taxation
(article 6);
Strong presence of non-Parties as very vocal
observers.