COP10: The fight against tobacco and its impacts on the environment at the heart of the debates
The tenth Conference of the Parties (COP) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was held recently in Panama City, bringing together delegates from around the world. This in-person meeting marks a return to normal after the remote meetings imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite a decline in adult smoking prevalence over the past 20 years, the director of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has warned of the dangers the tobacco industry poses to environment.
“Land used for tobacco cultivation cannot be quickly converted for other uses, because tobacco is very demanding in terms of soil nutrients. Additionally, it requires intensive use of pesticides, making cultivation very polluting tobacco,” warned Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo.
The World Health Organization already warned last year that many countries facing food security problems were also major tobacco producers.
Every year, around 8 million people die worldwide due to tobacco use.
Use in adolescents
The latest global tobacco report estimates that there are at least 37 million children aged 13 to 15 currently using tobacco, with alarming levels of e-cigarette use among adolescents in some countries.
“Tobacco consumption is an addiction. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is a very addictive product, as addictive as illegal drugs, and the fact that it is legal does not make it less addictive,” stressed Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo.
Most smokers started smoking during their teenage years, a time in life when we are not yet ready to make decisions that will have a lasting impact on our health.
At the conference, a decision was taken to strengthen the article of the Framework Convention focused on the protection of the environment and the health of all.
Another important decision was taken to strengthen the directives on cross-border tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, as well as to regulate the representation of tobacco in entertainment media.
Additionally, two expert groups were created, one to work on forward-thinking tobacco control measures and the other to focus on accountability.
Other decisions taken by COP10 were related to the promotion of human rights through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as the strengthening of the Framework Convention Investment Fund. WHO for tobacco control.
Parties also agreed to extend the mandate of the Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control 2019-2025 by five years, so that it is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
COP10 also adopted the Panama Declaration, which highlights the fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the tobacco industry and those of public health.
During the five-day summit which ended on Saturday, representatives from 142 countries discussed various issues, including the regulation of tobacco advertising.