A key part of the implementation the WHO Framework Convention Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is identifying accurately and meaningfully the specific needs of parties as they seek to implement the provisions of the treaty. With this information, governments can set priorities, allocate resources, and address specific needs, for example by requesting and obtaining targeted technical assistance. It al...

T his year has begun well for tobacco control. One hundred and ninety two countries, all members of the World Health Organization, have solemnly pledged to rid the world of the death and disease trail caused by tobacco. Sixty countries have ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and thus given us an instrument with which we can systematically tackle all aspects of tobacco c...

We reviewed the adoption and implementation of smokefree policies in all Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) countries. Significant progress has been achieved among LAC countries since the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was adopted in 2005. Both national and sub-national legislation have provided effective mechanisms to increase the fraction of the population protected fr...

Often tobacco industry activities may appear as public good activities, while actually inconspicuously working to undermine tobacco control efforts. It is important to be wary of any use of logos or mascots as well as secondary products used to promote smoking (e.g. logos on sports equipment). Although sponsorships may appear positive, it may work to change perceptions of tobacco use or the tob...

As the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) calls for public health awareness on tobacco use, mass media campaigns should be appropriately designed so as to maximize their effectiveness. In this methodological pilot study, 95 Greek adolescents (mean age 15 +/- 1.8 years), were shown seven different anti tobacco ads, and asked to rate the ad theme, message and emotional context on a 1-...

In their paper, Nikogosian and Kickbusch show how the effects of the adoption by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its first Protocol extend beyond tobacco control and contribute to public health governance more broadly, by revealing new processes, institutions and instruments. While there are certainly good reasons to be optimisti...