The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was adopted by the 56th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 21 May 2003, as the first treaty negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. The text is DONE at Geneva; signature opened later, at WHO Headquarters from 16 to 22 June, then at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 29 June 2004. It is not the 2012 Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The authentic texts are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Depositary. It was registered as UNTS No. 41032, volume 2302. No reservations may be made.

Article 3 sets the objective: to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke, by providing a framework of national, regional and international measures to reduce continually the prevalence of use and exposure. Article 2 encourages Parties to implement measures beyond the Convention’s minimum. Article 5: comprehensive multisectoral national strategies, a focal point, and protection of public-health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, in accordance with national law. No tax or advertising handbook is transcribed.

Part III covers, at the level of principle, price and tax measures, protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, regulation of contents and disclosures, packaging and labelling, education, a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship (subject to constitutional limits) and support for cessation. Part IV addresses illicit trade, sales to minors and support for affected growers, without an operational smuggling protocol. The Conference of the Parties (Article 23) oversees implementation.

Article 34: open for signature by Members of WHO, UN members that are not WHO Members, and regional economic integration organizations. Article 36: it enters into force on the ninetieth day following deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, formal confirmation or accession. The UN Treaty Collection records 27 February 2005. An instrument deposited by a regional organization is not counted in addition to those of its member States.

Cover: the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva; the Assembly met at the Palais des Nations. We do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Australian Treaty Series 2005 No. 7).