18.1 Overview of the FCTC

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The foreword to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)ⁱ describes the Convention as 'an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health'; the FCTC 'represents a paradigm shift in developing a regulatory strategy to address addictive substances; in contrast to previous drug control treaties, the WHO FCTC asserts the importance of demand reduction strategies as well as supply issues'.

The primary obligations contained in the FCTC may be divided into two categories: those aimed at reducing the demand for tobacco products and those aimed at reducing the supply of tobacco products. The FCTC also contains a number of guiding principles, general obligations, and other additional obligations, as well as a number of complementary and facilitative provisions relating to such matters as criminal and civil liability, scientific and technical cooperation and communication of information between Parties to the Convention, institutional arrangements and financial resources, settlement of disputes, and further development of the treaty.