WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Articles 17 and 18 - environment & tobacco

15/08/2025

After 11 days of talks in Geneva, countries were once again unable to reach an agreement on a Global .

Delegates remained deadlocked over the same issues that have stalled progress for years: whether the treaty should curb the exponential growth of plastic production and impose global, legally binding controls on toxic chemicals used in plastics. Every year, the world produces over 400 million tons of new plastic, and around 100 countries want to limit that.

Last year’s fifth negotiation round in South Korea was meant to deliver a final text, but disagreements blocked any deal. The second part of that round was set for this August, yet the outcome was the same.

As we’ve highlighted before, experts stress that the Global Plastics Treaty should also ban cigarette filters to cut – echoing UN Environment Programme, World Health Organization (WHO), and the WHO FCTC COP10 decision on Article 18, which calls filters “unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic.”

Talks ended today, with plans to resume at a later date yet to be confirmed.

06/08/2025

06/08/2025

This is so impressive! One million used cigarette butts, packed into plastic bottles, now stand in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva – right where negotiators are meeting for the UN Plastics Treaty (check our previous posts for more details).

The image was shared by ASH: Action on Smoking & Health on their website. Photo by Morgan Cox.

***coControl

05/08/2025

🚨 The latest round of negotiations for the UN Global Plastics Treaty has just started in Geneva, but there are key issues with the draft text:

❌No mention of the , missing the chance to connect health and environmental goals.

🚬Cigarette filters only addressed when made of plastic, leaving the door open to “eco-friendly” versions.

Yet filters create not only plastic waste but also toxic waste – while offering no health benefits.

Experts agree:
📢 All filters should be banned.

Sources ⬇️

Toxic Butts: What the Plastic Treaty’s Negotiating Text Means for Health and Liability:
https://ggtc.world/actions/webinars/toxic-butts-what-the-plastic-treatys-negotiating-text-means-for-health-and-liability

Microplastics and the To***co Production Chain:
https://extranet.who.int/fctcapps/sites/default/files/inline-files/EN-Microplastics-and-To***co_1.pdf

Smoke Signals from the Plastics Treaty: Why Geneva Negotiations Can’t Ignore Health Governance:
https://healthpolicy-watch.news/smoke-signals-from-the-plastics-treaty-why-geneva-cant-ignore-health-governance/

Cigarette Filters in the UN Plastics Treaty:
https://files.ggtc.world/uploads/2025-07-16/10-47-05-580941/INC5.2_Cigarette_Filters_in_the_Global_Plastics_Treaty_August2025.pdf

Opposition to Banning Cigarette Filters and the Belief That Removing Filters Makes Ci******es Much More Harmful Among Adults Who Smoke:
https://extranet.who.int/fctcapps/fctcapps/fctc/kh/alternativelivelihoods/e-library/opposition-banning-cigarette-filters-and-belief

To***co's Toxic Plastics: A Global Outlook:
https://ggtc.world/knowledge/sustainability-and-human-rights/to***cos-toxic-plastics-a-global-outlook

***coControl
WHO FCTC Unfairto***co Cetab - Fiocruz ASH: Action on Smoking & Health

09/07/2025

08/07/2025

Experts stress that the Global must include a BAN on cigarette filters to reduce and protect our oceans.

The next round of negotiations begins this August in Geneva.

So far, the United Nations Environment Programme has already classified cigarette filters as a form of single-use plastic; WHO supports banning cigarette filters as avoidable problematic plastics; and the FCTC COP 10 decision on Article 18 states that filters are “unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic.”

To learn more, check the report by our colleague Milena Maciel on microplastics and the to***co production chain:

📖https://extranet.who.int/fctcapps/fctcapps/fctc/kh/alternativelivelihoods/publications-article-18

WHO FCTC Cetab - Fiocruz ENVIRONMENT ACTIVIST ACTbr Unfairto***co

04/07/2025

In Brazil, the ***coIndustry is mobilizing to try to interfere with 11. A bill in Rio Grande do Sul – the country’s top to***co-producing state – seeks to label to***co as of “economic, social, and cultural interest.” The goal is to pass it before COP 11 to support the sector’s positioning.

Nationally, the Agriculture Committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved a request for a public hearing on Brazil’s stance at COP, arguing that proposed measures could cause “irreparable damage” to ***co farmers.

Amprotabaco – an association of Brazilian to***co-producing cities – is already calling on mayors to engage in the discussion.

Read more: https://olajornal.com.br/lei-que-reconhece-a-fumicultura-como-de-relevante-interesse-economico-social-e-cultural-do-rs-deve-auxiliar-na-cop11/

https://www.agrolink.com.br/noticias/amprotabaco-lidera-discussao-sobre-posicionamento-do-brasil-na-cop_502954.html

WHO FCTC Cetab - Fiocruz WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 Expose To***co Global Center for Good Governance in To***co Control GGTC

19/06/2025

❗️Child labour in to***co farming is both a human rights and public health crisis.

👉SDG 8.7 calls to end it this year.

🚨 While to***co execs rake in millions, children are trapped in fields—working in hazardous conditions, caught in cycles of poverty and debt.

The to***co industry claims to be part of the solution—but it’s part of the problem.
We need:
✔️ -free supply chains
✔️ Fair to***co taxation (WHO FCTC Article 6)
✔️ Enforcement of Articles 17 & 18: sustainable alternatives to to***co growing 🫘🍅 & protection for vulnerable families

🌱 Let’s and protect the future of our children and our planet.

🔗 Policy recommendations → https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/m/item/policy-options-and-recommendations-on-economically-sustainable-alternatives-to-to***co-growing

🧰 Article 17 Toolkit → https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/m/item/toolkit-for-article-17-of-the-who-framework-convention-on-to***co-control

02/06/2025

To***co Production Next Door? 🚬🏠

BAT Bangladesh has been ordered to vacate its head office and factory in Mohakhali, a central district of Dhaka. The Supreme Court rejected the company’s appeal to extend its land lease with the Dhaka Cantonment Board.

The Mohakhali factory, built in 1965 as the company’s second factory in the country, is located right next to a residential neighborhood, a major shopping mall, and schools. The company had operated on the site under a 30-year renewable lease, with a maximum term of 90 years. After the board declined to renew the final 30-year lease, BAT went to court – and lost.

The Bangladesh Environment Movement had long called for the plant’s removal due to its role in environmental degradation.

A May report by the Bangladesh Network for To***co Tax Policy revealed several violations of key environmental standards, adding to growing concerns about the factory’s impact on public health.

Learn more: https://extranet.who.int/fctcapps/fctcapps/fctc/kh/alternativelivelihoods/bat-bangladesh-ordered-vacate-office-and-factory

WHO FCTC Cetab - Fiocruz Stop To***co Bangladesh Bangladesh Network For To***co Tax Policy - bnttp

31/05/2025

It’s ***coDay🚭!

This year’s campaign focuses on exposing the tactics used by the to***co and ni****ne industries to make their products appear attractive.

These industries are targeting a new generation with electronic products that continue to pose health risks – and cause serious environmental harm.

Decades ago, in the 1950s, cigarette filters were introduced to ease public concern about smoking-related lung cancer. Even today, many consumers still see them as safer, even though the majority of independent research shows that filters do not reduce the harms associated with smoking.

In addition, they are typically made from non-biodegradable cellulose acetate and are one of the main sources of ***co product waste.

As for newer electronic products, their use not only poses health risks but also generates various forms of waste – including plastic, e-liquid containers, packaging, and batteries – contributing to three categories of waste: , , and hazardous chemical waste.

***coDay2025
**ng ******es

29/05/2025

Lilongwe ‒ Shombe Banda from Kasungu District in Central Malawi was a to***co farmer for 35 years. He recently switched to growing other crops, such as soya beans, groundnuts and maize. His motivation to change was mostly economic, he says.

13/05/2025

In India, at least 4.5 million workers are involved in the production of bidis – hand-rolled ci******es made of loose to***co wrapped in dry leaves. A large part of this workforce is home-based, including both women and children.

Bidi manufacturing is highly labor-intensive and poses serious occupational health risks.

With support from the HCL Foundation, the Cancer Institute (WIA) launched a series of initiatives to promote alternative livelihoods for women in bidi production.

A number of awareness programs have been organized in various locations since 2015, sensitizing nearly 3000 bidi rollers on the risks associated with their livelihood.

A survey of 1,000 bidi workers revealed that:
- 78% were found to suffer from ailments like respiratory issues, chronic cough, and skin diseases;
- 80.4% wanted to shift to another form of work.

The program then offered skill development training in tailoring, handicrafts, and wig making, with 1,209 women participating.

The Cancer Institute surveyed 148 trained women, finding that 106 successfully stopped engaging in beedi rolling, while 32 still continued to do so (10 couldn’t be reached).

➡ Article 17 of the WHO FCTC calls on Parties to promote economically viable alternatives for ***co workers, growers and individual sellers.

The information and photos were taken from this report: https://extranet.who.int/fctcapps/fctcapps/fctc/kh/alternativelivelihoods/e-library/skill-development-training-mukkudal-tirunelveli

WHO FCTC Cetab - Fiocruz ASH: Action on Smoking & Health To***co Free Generation To***co Industry Watch BD