Global Tobacco Treaty Background

"Big Tobacco and its allies in wealthy countries fought this global tobacco treaty every step of the way. Through hard work and strategic organizing we overcame tremendous odds in making the treaty a reality. Looking ahead, we will continue to work together to challenge the tobacco industry's dirty tricks."

--Akinbode Oluwafemi, Environmental Rights Action, Nigeria, a NATT member.

The global tobacco treaty, formally known as The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is the world's first public health and corporate accountability treaty. It took effect as international law on February 27, 2005 and has been ratified by more than 160 countries. The global tobacco treaty is one of the most rapidly embraced United Nations treaties of all time and now protects 85 percent of the world’s people. The global tobacco treaty will save millions of lives because it:

• Bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, such as the Marlboro Man; learn more about tobacco advertising.
   
• Protects public health policy from interference by tobacco corporations (through Article 5.3); learn more about tobacco industry interference.
   
• Gives governments the right to prioritize the health of their citizens over trade and commercial interests; and,
   
• Establishes important precedents for international regulation of other industries that endanger health, the environment and human rights.

Learn more about why we are challenging Big Tobacco with the global tobacco treaty.

The World Health Organization estimates that broad implementation of the global tobacco treaty could save up to 200 million lives by 2050.

Now that it has taken effect as international law, the treaty is dramatically changing the way tobacco corporations do business in ratifying countries. But the tobacco industry will not give in without a fight. We are working with allies in the U.S. and internationally to ensure the treaty is enforced and to assist countries in ratification and implementation.

Corporate Accountability International is a founding member of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) and the Framework Convention Alliance.

The story of the global tobacco treaty inspires hope. Global corporations Philip Morris International (PMI), British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco sought to weaken and derail the treaty. The U.S. also sought to water down much of the document. Yet the developing world, led by a block of 46 African nations and supported by Corporate Accountability International and NATT, united to push for positions that would prevent the spread of tobacco addiction, disease and death.

Click here to read more about the FCTC and the illicit tobacco trade.