Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

ASH briefings for countries of the ASEAN region

ASH has produced briefing documents for the government of Malaysia for the fourth inter-session meeting of the ASEAN negotiating body of the FCTC. The documents cover the key areas under negotiation:

  • Advertising, promotion and sponsorship
  • Packaging and labelling of tobacco products
  • Tackling the illicit trade in tobacco
  • Regulation and disclosure
  • Tobacco taxes and duty free

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the world’s first health treaty, developed by the World Health Organisation and adopted in May 2003.

If current trends continue, by 2020 tobacco will kill 10 million people each year, with 70% of those coming from the developing world. The FCTC is designed to try to reduce this terrible toll.

 

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World Health Organisation - Framework Convention on tobacco control
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was adopted at the WHO's annual assembly in May 2003 and has been signed by the British government. 
Author: World Health Organization Published By: WHO Published : 22/05/2003

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Tobacco Control: don't trade away public health
Summary the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control negotiations in 2003 by Remi Parmentier, Political Adviser for ASH. Remi Parmentier examines the role between tobacco control and free trade.
Author: Remi Parmentier Published By: ASH Published : 07/03/2003

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Critical analysis of the Revised Chair's text for the INB-6 meeting of the FCTC
ASH and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids detailed critical analysis of the Revised Chair's text of the Inter-governmental Negotiating Body of the FCTC meeting 17-28 February 2003.
Author: ASH, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Published By: ASH, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Published : 31/01/2003

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ASH Press release
ASH Press release in reaction to the text for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 14/01/2003

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Chair of the FCTC process rationale for changes
Ambassador Luiz Felipe de Seixas Correa, Chair of the FCTC process, has released his rationale for changes made to the FCTC text. 
Author: Luiz Felipe de Seixas Correa Published By: World Health Organisation Published : 12/01/2003

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World Trade Organisation agreements and public health
A joint World Health Organisation and World Trade Organisation outlines the linkages between international trade and public health.
Author: World Health Organization, World Trade Organisation Published By: WHO & WTO Published : 31/07/2002

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Framework Convention Alliance position paper on tobacco smuggling and the FCTC
FCA paper on the measures needed to tackle smuggling in the FCTC - prepared in advance of the Conference on Illicit Trade by the US Government July 2002.  Measures are put forward that would remove the tobacco companies' incentives to smuggle and secure the international wholesale distribution system.
Author: Framework Convention Alliance Published By: Framework Convention Alliance Published : 15/07/2002

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10 key issues for global tobacco control and the FCTC (Portuguese)
Portuguese version of the Framework Convention Alliance one page summary position on the ten main issues in global tobacco control.
Author: Framework Convention Alliance Published By: Framework Convention Alliance Published : 24/03/2002

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10 key issues for global tobacco control and the FCTC (Spanish)
Spanish version of the Framework Convention Alliance one page summary position on the ten main issues in global tobacco control.
Author: Framework Convention Alliance Published By: Framework Convention Alliance Published : 24/03/2002

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10 key issues for global tobacco control and the FCTC (Chinese)
Chinese version of the Framework Convention Alliance one page summary position on the ten main issues in global tobacco control.
Author: Framework Convention Alliance Published By: Framework Convention Alliance Published : 24/03/2002

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10 key issues for global tobacco control and the FCTC (French)
French version of the Framework Convention Alliance one page summary position on the ten main issues in global tobacco control.
Author: Framework Convention Alliance Published By: Framework Convention Alliance Published : 24/03/2002

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10 key issues for global tobacco control and the FCTC
By the Framework Convention Alliance one page summary position on the ten main issues in global tobacco control. Also available in Spanish | French | Portuguese | Chinese
Author: Framework Convention Alliance Published By: Framework Convention Alliance Published : 10/03/2002

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Packaging and labelling of tobacco products
ASH briefing to the Malaysian Government on Packaging and labelling of tobacco products to the ASEAN inter-session meeting March 2002.   This briefing was written for Framework Convention on Tobacco Control negotiations and outlines key issues for the INB-4 on the packaging and labelling of tobacco products For the governments packaging of tobacco products is an important space for mandatory health warnings, consumer information and anti-smuggling marks. As advertising is steadily banned and restricted around the world, the pack is becoming an important promotional space for tobacco companies.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 02/03/2002

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Tackling the illicit trade in tobacco
ASH briefing for Malaysian Government for the ASEAN inter-session meeting March 2002 on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The briefing outlines key issues for the INB-4 on tackling the illicit trade in tobacco.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 02/03/2002

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Regulation and disclosure
ASH briefing for Malaysian Government for the ASEAN inter-session meeting March 2002 on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The briefing outlines key issues for the INB-4 on regulation and disclosure of tobacco contents.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 02/03/2002

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Tobacco taxes and duty free
ASH briefing for Malaysian Government for the ASEAN inter-session meeting March 2002 on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The briefing outlines key issues for the INB-4 on tobacco taxes and duty free.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 02/03/2002

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Advertising, promotion and sponsorship
ASH briefing for the Malaysian government on Advertising, promotion and sponsorship. For the ASEAN inter-session meeting March 2002 on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The briefing outlines key issues for the INB-4.  Section G2 of the FCTC working texts deals with tobacco advertising – it is one of the central components of tobacco policy. It does not require significant government expenditure, but can deliver substantial health benefits.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 02/03/2002

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Commentary for the INB-4 meeting of the FCTC
Detailed analysis by ASH of the text and proposals for the Inter-governmental Negotiating Body of the FCTC fourth meeting 18-23 March 2002. Here ASH provides a detailed analysis of the texts with proposals and comments.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 24/02/2002

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David Byre speech to Warsaw Declaration: Turning the tide on the tobacco epidemic
Speech by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection to the Ministerial Conference for a Tobacco-free Europe.
Author: David Byrne Published By: European Commission Published : 18/02/2002

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Proposals to tackle smuggling
An ASH briefing examining the various proposals for measures on smuggling from by various parties in the WHO Framework Convention
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 24/11/2001

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Organising successful negotiations for the FCTC: Options and lessons from other conventions
This paper examines how negotiating techniques could be used to make the FCTC negotiations work more effectively.
Author: Joanna Depledge Published By: ASH Published : 07/10/2001

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Draft text from Intergovernmental meeting in 2001
Draft text on liability and compensation from Intergovernmental meeting in Tehran (Iran) from the September 2001 government meeting in Tehran (Iran)
Author: World Health Organization Published By: World Health Organization Published : 18/09/2001

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Developing countries take the lead on WHO convention - review of INB-2
A review of FCTC negotiations in May 2001. This article highlights the negative role of US, EU and WHO and the positive role of developing countries - and the danger of compromise and dilution that lies ahead.
Author: Clive Bates Published By: Tobacco Control Published : 31/08/2001

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WHO: Confronting the Tobacco Epidemic in an Era of Trade Liberalisation
Commission on MacroEconomics and Health of the WHO, working paper. Examines the policy implications between international trade liberalisation and health outcomes.
Author: Douglas Bettcher, Liana Soll, Chitra Subramanian, Genevieve Grabman, Emmanuel Guindon, Luk Joossens, Anne-Marie Perucic, Allyn Taylor Published By: World Health Organisation Published : 30/06/2001

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ASH addresses the issues surrounding the viability of liability
Problems, risks and opportunities of developing a liability regime under the FCTC. ASH examines the pros and cons and options for a regime that would hold tobacco companies liable for damage to health - and perhaps for losses due to smuggling.
Author: Clive Bates Published By: ASH Published : 08/04/2001

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International Trade Agreements and their impact on Public Health Measures to reduce tobacco use
Given the broad reach of the trade agreements, and the variety of potential barriers they pose to tobacco control policies, it is essential that those charged with negotiating international agreements resolve the current conflict between tobacco control and trade liberalisation by ensuring that national and international measures to curb tobacco are not undermined by obligations under commercial trade agreements.
Author: Callard C, Collishaw N, Swenarchuk M Published By: Physicians for a Smokefree Canada Published : 02/04/2001

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Journal Article: Tobacco control in an era of trade liberalisation
Article in Tobacco Control. Tobacco control advocates need to be aware of whether the wave of trade liberalisation around the world leads to increased smoking and undermines the ability of governments to adopt tobacco control measures.
Author: Bettecher D, Shapiro I Published By: Tobacco Control Published : 28/02/2001

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Public Health, International Trade and the FCTC
Outlines the impact on public health through increased tobacco consumption through the liberalisation of international trade.
Author: John Bloom Published By: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Published : 28/02/2001

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FCTC Implications for the Asia Pacific region
For the World Assembly on Tobacco Counters Health WATCH-2000 Tobacco Free Conference in New Delhi, India December 2000. Technical paper outlining the implications of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Author: Neil Francey Published By: World Assembly on Tobacco Counters Health Published : 01/12/2000

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ASH submission to WHO public hearings on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
ASH submission supporting the WHO's new proposals
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 11/10/2000

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ASH briefing paper on the first negotiations of the FCTC
ASH outlines the issues facing the World Health Organisation for the first negotiations of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control October 2000.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 30/09/2000

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Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Basic Briefing
ASH answers common questions surrounding the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 31/05/2000

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Globalisation of tobacco industry influence and new responses.
The globalisation of tobacco marketing, trade, research, and industry influence represents a major threat to public health worldwide. This journal article demonstrates how the tobacco industry operates as a global force, regarding the world as its operating market by planning, developing and marketing its products on a global scale.
Author: Dereck Yach, Douglas Bettcher Published By: Tobacco Control Published : 31/05/2000

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Guidance to UK embassies
Guidance produced by the government to overseas diplomatic posts around tobacco - exportation and importation. Instructions to UK embassy staff not to promote tobacco or attend tobacco sponsored events
Author: UK Government Published By: Hansard Published : 17/05/1999