The World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) has issued a strong call to governments at all levels to accelerate the implementation of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in order to end the global tobacco epidemic.
The call was made during this year’s edition of the conference held in Ireland, where participants described the tobacco industry as “the biggest barrier to global progress in tobacco control.”
According to the WCTC Declaration, tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death globally, accounting for over 8 million deaths annually.
The conference urged governments to adopt science-based policies that align with the WHO FCTC guidelines and to shield public health policymaking from tobacco industry interference.
In its communique, the WCTC stressed the urgent need for governments to prioritise tobacco control as a public health emergency and to resist industry tactics aimed at undermining regulations.
The declaration reaffirms WCTC’s commitment to supporting nations in building tobacco-free societies through research, advocacy, and regulatory reforms.
Reporting by Funmi Adeoye