WHO FCTC

Andrew Black, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, met Professor Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, to discuss to***co control and public health.

The Governor recognised the vital role that the WHO FCTC plays in advancing public health. During the meeting, they explored:

• how harmful to***co use is to social, environmental & economic development
• the need to protect young people from addiction, including ni****ne addiction
• the key role the local government plays in to***co control

🌍 Protecting public health means fighting crime. 🛡️

The cooperation agreement between INTERPOL HQ and the World Health Organization (WHO) reinforces the importance of coordinated international action against threats that undermine both public health and security — including illicit trade in to***co products.

⚖️ The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products, supports countries in combating criminality by strengthening international cooperation & promoting measures to prevent, detect and address illicit trade.

🔎 By tackling illicit to***co markets and transnational criminal networks, countries can protect public health ❤️, strengthen law enforcement efforts 👮 and safeguard communities.

🌐 Health security is global security.

International cooperation is key to making it a reality. https://www.who.int/news/item/16-10-2026-interpol-and-who-sign-agreement-to-strengthen-global-health-and-security-protection

https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2026/INTERPOL-and-WHO-sign-agreement-to-strengthen-global-health-and-security-protection

INTERPOL and WHO sign agreement to strengthen global health and security protection Framework to support public health and law enforcement cooperation to protect lives worldwide

🌍The WHO FCTC Knowledge Hubs Managers Meeting took place in Bangkok, providing an important opportunity to realign priorities, strengthen coordination, and reaffirm our shared commitment to continued collaboration.

Operating under the supervision of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, the Knowledge Hubs play a key role in supporting Parties in implementing the Convention.

Through their specialized expertise, they facilitate knowledge exchange, generate and disseminate evidence, provide technical assistance, strengthen capacity-building, and foster international cooperation.

🤝 By connecting research, policy, and practice, the Knowledge Hubs help advance evidence-based to***co control policies and support countries in addressing emerging challenges through shared knowledge and experience.
Together, we continue to strengthen global collaboration and accelerate the implementation of the WHO FCTC.

Learn more about the areas of the Convention in which the Knowledge Hubs support Parties.

https://fctc.who.int/resources/knowledge-hubs

At the 2026, organized by the
UICC - Union for International Cancer Control , Andrew Black, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control, delivered a keynote address on the future of to***co control.

A powerful reflection on where to***co control stands today, the challenges ahead, and what is needed to protect health and save lives.

Explore the full speech here ->
🔗 https://fctc.who.int/newsroom-and-resources/speeches/item/world-cancer-congress-2026-hong-kong

🇭🇰🤝 Strengthening collaboration for to***co control

The Department of Health of the Hong Kong SAR, China Government welcomed the new Head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control (WHO FCTC), Andrew Black, for an exchange on to***co control progress, strategies and future measures.

Hong Kong’s experience in advancing comprehensive to***co control offers valuable lessons for jurisdictions working to protect people from the harms of to***co and ni****ne.
The meeting also highlighted the important role of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and evidence-based action in advancing the implementation of the WHO FCTC.

DH holds meeting with new Head of Secretariat of WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control to deepen collaboration and exchanges on to***co control (with photos) ​The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on To***co Control...

🌍 Eight years of the Protocol: stronger cooperation against illicit to***co trade

Today, 25 September, marks 8 years of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products. 🎉

With 73 Parties, the Protocol continues to strengthen international cooperation to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute illicit trade in to***co products. 🤝🚨

Illicit to***co trade does not stop at borders. Tackling it requires collective action across countries and sectors — from customs and tax authorities to police and law enforcement. 🌐

🔎 Eight years on, we remain committed to:

✅ Strengthening cooperation and information sharing
✅ Sharing expertise and good practices
✅ Improving investigation and prosecution
✅ Supporting effective implementation of the Protocol

More Parties. Stronger implementation. Greater international cooperation. Together, we can strengthen the global response to the evolving illicit to***co market. 💪🌍

https://fctc.who.int/newsroom/news/item/25-09-2026-eight-years-of-the-protocol-strengthening-international-cooperation-to-eliminate-illicit-trade-in-to***co-products

🚨 Illicit trade in to***co products is not just about stopping illegal products at the border.

🔗 The WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products takes a comprehensive approach — strengthening:

📋 supply-chain controls & due diligence
🔎 tracking & tracing
🗂️ record-keeping
⚖️ enforcement, seizures & sanctions
🤝 international cooperation

🌍 Because tackling illicit trade requires action across the entire supply chain — and cooperation across borders.

https://fctc.who.int/protocol

🌍 8 years of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in To***co Products

This Friday marks the 8th anniversary of the Protocol.

The Protocol helps countries tackle the illicit trade in to***co products while addressing its wider impacts — protecting health, reducing crime and helping to tackle poverty.

Because it is all connected.

🤝 By strengthening international cooperation and action, Parties can work together to address illicit to***co trade and its far-reaching consequences.

https://fctc.who.int/protocol

🇺🇦 Ukraine marks 20 years of commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Parliament) has approved a resolution marking the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on To***co Control (WHO FCTC).

The resolution recognizes that implementation of the Convention has had a “leading and decisive impact” in addressing the to***co use epidemic in Ukraine, contributing to reduced to***co use among population groups, including children.

The Verkhovna Rada also recognized the importance of protecting public health from the vested and commercial interests of the to***co industry.

The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC warmly welcomes this milestone and Ukraine’s continued commitment to advancing public health through evidence-based to***co control policies.

🔗 Read the resolution:
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4970-IX

The WHO FCTC Secretariat participated in the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office Global Health Leadership Course, connecting with a new generation of health leaders. ‍⚕️🌱

🤝 In the Philippines, the Secretariat also worked with WHO, government partners and the Asian Development Bank to strengthen collaboration on to***co control, including efforts to address the illicit trade in to***co products and advance sustainable financing for health. 💰🏥

🛡️ Protecting public health from to***co industry interference remains essential to ensuring that health policies are shaped by evidence and the public interest.

📣 Strong leadership, international cooperation and effective implementation of the WHO FCTC and its Protocol are critical to protecting people from the harms of to***co and building healthier futures.

Strengthening health leadership for stronger to***co control and healthier communities. 🌍💚

🌱 Investing in to***co control is investing in health, sustainable development and future generations.



https://fctc.who.int/newsroom/news/item/08-09-2026-strengthening-health-leadership-in-the-philippines