10th Anniversary of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: The Strongest Preventive Tool f

Economic Daily Geneva (Reporter Chen Jian) - At the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan stated that tobacco control is the most important factor in preventing global morbidity and mortality. She urged all parties to quickly ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and to expedite its adoption as international law.

In her speech, Dr. Chan stated that the Convention is the most powerful preventive tool for protecting public health. Since its implementation in 2005, many countries around the world have adopted measures to reduce tobacco demand. She noted that the global tobacco control movement currently faces three main challenges: first, "tobacco control fatigue"; second, a lack of effective enforcement measures; and third, interference from tobacco manufacturers.

Wu Hailong, representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, stated that the Chinese government attaches great importance to safeguarding public health and is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Convention. China is actively formulating regulations on smoking control in public places and revising advertising laws to provide a solid legal basis for implementing the Convention. The Chinese government is willing to work with the international community to continue advancing tobacco control efforts.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control officially came into effect in February 2005, and currently, more than 180 WHO member states have signed the Convention. In November 2012, the fifth Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control adopted the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The Chinese government signed the Protocol in January 2013.