According to a new report endorsed by 57 civil society organizations worldwide, the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has been compromised by several global disruptions. These disruptions include the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, wars and political conflict. This global instability has contributed to 95 million additional tobacco users who would have otherwise quit by 2025.

“The worldwide tobacco control effort is resilient, but it’s not immune to global disruptions that are affecting many aspects of sustainable development,” said Les Hagen, executive director of ASH Canada and the primary author of the report. “These disruptions are compromising tobacco control efforts around the world. The situation would likely be much worse if not for the momentum created by 20 years of treaty implementation”.

The report addresses Target 3a of the UN Sustainable Development Goals—tobacco treaty implementation—and was recently submitted to the UN Economic and Social Council, which oversees global sustainable development.