EU countries still far apart ahead of COP11 meeting
As the Convention of the Parties eleventh meeting approaches EU member states still find themselves in different camps
The Conference of the Parties (COP), the governing body of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), will convene for its eleventh session in Geneva from 17–22 November 2025.
Despite efforts to reach a common position ahead of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Danish Presidency says that it has been difficult to bridge diverse positions. Some delegations want the EU to be a leader in tobacco control while others are more reluctant to go beyond current commitments. Nevertheless, the Danes have been able to suggest a landing zone that will be subject to final confirmation on Friday.
Speaking at the regular monthly meeting on global health issues WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the success of the FCTC has meant tobacco companies have had to develop new products to attract new customers. He said that those using aggressive marketing to expand the use of nicotine products were not interested in harm reduction, but in profit, “they are motivated by one thing and one thing only generating profit for their shareholders today.”
A journalist from the German Press Association asked about the reports that there were plans to impose a filter ban on cigarettes. Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO Head of Environment and Climate Change said, that WHO did believe that it is high time to ban those plastics because they have no health benefits and are a pollutant.
Dr Benn McGrady, Head of WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative added that he was “eagerly anticipating a proposal from the European Commission for revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, and there are a number of different ways in which Germany and countries in Europe can further strengthen their tobacco control laws.”
McGrady urges the European Commission and EU member states to strengthen their regulation of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and pouches. He is particularly concerned by the high usage by children, “the latest data that we have shows there are 15 million children worldwide using e-cigarettes". In countries that have data, he said rates among children can by as much as nine times higher than among adults, "It's clear that it's time for Germany, for the EU member states, and for countries at large, to take strong action to address these products.”
In late October, the WHO FCTC Secretariat warned governments and the public to remain vigilant against the tobacco industry’s tactics and misinformation in the lead-up to COP11.
Catherine Feore