Key Agenda and discussion results of the Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC (COP9) had been delayed to 8-13 November 2021. The 161 Parties to the WHO FCTC gathered virtually for COP9 and discussed the implementation of the WHO FCTC Articles 9 and 10. The expert group of Articles 9 and 10 attributed the limited implementation of the Articles to a lack of awareness and understanding of the potential impact and contribution of Articles 9 and 10 on a comprehensive tobacco control strategy among regulators policy-makers and nongovernmental organizations. Insufficient fund, technical capacity and human resources were also pointed out as factors that hinder the implementation of Articles 9 and 10. COP9 also discussed emerging tobacco products. The WHO prepared a comprehensive report on research and evidence on emerging tobacco products, in particular heated tobacco products (HTPs), and suggested that Parties recognized HTPs including their devices as tobacco products and were reminded about their commitment under the WHO FCTC when addressing the challenges posed by HTPs. In addition, COP9 adopted the “Declaration on WHO FCTC and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic” that stresses the need to protect public health policy from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.