The Seventh Session of the Conference of Parties (COP7) ) to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is being held in India from 7-12 November, 2016, at India Exposition Mart Ltd., Greater Noida, District Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.It is the first time that the occasion is being held in India.
The Conference was inaugurated by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare.
- Conference of Parties (COP7) to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a global tobacco control conference that stress on incorporating smokeless tobacco as an agenda. The conference is jointly organised by the government of India and the convention secretariat. About 1500 Delegates are expected to participate in the conference from around 180 countries.
- With this India gets an opportunity to show what the country has done to control harmful tobacco and learn from other countries. President of Sri Lanka and His Excellency Shri Maithripala Sirisena is a special invited speaker at the conference.
- The six-day event began by opening of the session on November 7, followed by adoption of agenda and organization of work, Meetings of the Bureau; Informal regional meetings and the European Union coordination meetings.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) :
The WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) entered into force in 2005. It was the first global evidence-based public health treaty to be agreed under WHO and has successfully helped to co-ordinate and energize the global struggle against tobacco and recognizes the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
The Conference of the Parties (COP)
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the Governing Body of the WHO FCTC and comprises of 180 Parties to the Convention. It regularly reviews the implementation of the Convention and takes action to promote its effectiveness. The regular sessions of COP are held at two yearly intervals
Mozambique became the 181st party to join the Conference of Parties (COP7)
On the opening day of the conference, Mozambique became the 181st party to join the Conference of Parties (COP7) to World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
WHO Convention Launches Project To Strengthen Tobacco Control
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on November 8, 2016, launched a project to strengthen implementation of the global tobacco control treaty. This project will enable the developing countries to boost their tobacco control efforts.
- With the help of the project, the countries will be offered support to create and strengthen the coordination mechanisms and action across sectors to implement the WHO FCTC, including treaty obligations to ban tobacco advertising and promotion, ensure tobacco packaging has health warnings, ban smoking in public and workplaces, and increase tobacco taxes among others.
- The five-year project will enable low and middle-income countries (LMIC) governments wishing to join implementation to express their interest in the project and will be delivered with the generous development funding from the United Kingdom. The project will ensure best mechanism for tobacco control strategies and policies worldwide.
Kerala Private Healthcare declared Smoke-free
With India hosting the 7th conference of parties of the World Health Organisation‘s treaty – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) – to achieve 100 per cent smoke-free public places, all private healthcare sector in Kerala has already been declared smoke-free.
- 70 per cent of healthcare requirements in Kerala depends on private sector and has become completely tobacco smoke-free as part of its patient-welfare and public health measure. All private hospitals have set up ‘no smoking’ warning boards and measures are on to install pictorial signages mandated by the Section 4 of the Indian Tobacco Control Act COTPA, 2003.
- In May 2016 Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA) and its member bodies initiated a formal process to ensure that all its member institutions are smoke-free in the interest of public health.
- President of Kerala Private Hospitals Association (KPHA): Dr P K Mohamed Rasheed
- Secretary, KPHA: Hussain Koya Thangal.
