The WHO FCTC is currently amid a medium-term strategic plan called The Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control 2019-2025. GATC strongly advocated for the adoption of the plan under which the Secretariat and Parties to the Convention are shifting focus from the development of WHO FCTC guidelines and protocols to implementation. In recognition of the changing landscape and strategic directions being adopted, the GATC has adapted our work and programs to meet emerging needs.
Our Work
OUTCOME & GOALS
By 2025: Accelerate WHO FCTC implementation with evidence-based solutions and
embed tobacco control in the global health and development agendas
ACCELERATING WHO FCTC IMPLEMENTATION
To advance the implementation of the WHO FCTC, it’s essential for countries to fully commit to the Global Strategy, allocate sufficient resources, and resist tobacco industry interference. Civil society organizations (CSOs) and the GATC play key roles in maintaining political will and supporting domestic funding strategies, like tobacco taxes.
EMBED TOBACCO CONTROL IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Tobacco control must be integrated into broader global health and development agendas, especially post-COVID. Framing it as a key component of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly targets 3.a and 3.4, requires a whole-of-government, system-wide approach that emphasizes well-funded, evidence-based policies.
HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE SUCCESS
Over the years, we have provided leadership and expertise to the tobacco control community and worked to ensure there is a cohesive global movement of CSOs in the promotion and implementation of the WHO FCTC. In the years to come, we will continue to work to accelerate progress on WHO FCTC implementation under four strategic pillars:
Policy Development & Advocacy
As the voice of civil society, we leverage our network of policy experts and advocates to build political will and ensure that Parties are accountable to their commitments.
We also guide the development of evidence-based policies that serve to strengthen and accelerate WHO FCTC implementation. Our policy development and advocacy efforts help frame debates at COP/MOP, and we regularly develop position papers and reports outside of COP/MOP on leading issues impacting the tobacco control community.
Over the years, we have worked to counter tobacco industry interference and the Alliance has played a central role in the negotiation process of the WHO FCTC, including all the guidelines on key Articles of the Convention, and the development of the Global Strategy. Recently, the Alliance played a key role in advocating for the creation of the COP/MOP Investment Funds.
- Facilitate and coordinate the involvement of civil society at COP/MOP and other international forums
- Create campaign and advocacy resources to mobilize the community during and between COP sessions
- Leverage our Alliance and network to guide policy development and decision-making
- Promote solutions for sustainable financing for FCTC implementation.
- Participate in groups established by the COP on policy-related topics, as experts or as technical support
- Develop policy papers and reports to strengthen and accelerate FCTC implementation
Related Resources
- Budget Advocacy Toolkit (2023): https://gatc-int.org/budget-advocacy-toolkit-2023/ (request the PDFs)
- Advocacy resources (2021): https://gatc-int.org/advocacy-resources-2021/
- Sustainable funding (2022): https://gatc-int.org/sustainable-funding-2022/
- Policy Briefs MOP2 (2021): https://gatc-int.org/policy-briefs-mop2-2021/
- Policy Briefs COP9 (2021): https://gatc-int.org/policy-briefs-cop9-2021/
Knowledge Translation & Exchange
Our knowledge translation and exchange programs are designed to ensure civil society actors remain connected to the latest research, evidence, and emerging best practices in the field of tobacco control, development, and the SDGs. Each year we organize and participate in events and conferences that help bridge the gap between research and practice and translate knowledge into action.
- Host and participate in events to share knowledge and best practices
- Facilitate committees and working groups to build consensus on priorities issues
- Facilitate dialogue and support mechanisms that increase the alignment of tobacco control with development priorities and the SDGs
- Disseminate research and policy briefs on tobacco control issues and on topics to be discussed at COP/MOP
Related Resources
- Alignment with the SDGs: https://gatc-int.org/alignment-with-the-sdgs/
- COP10 Policy Briefs: https://gatc-int.org/policy-briefs-cop10/
- MOP3 Policy briefs: https://gatc-int.org/policy-briefs-mop3/
- Tobacco Control for Sustainable development: View Document
Capacity Building
Our capacity building program provides civil society actors with tools and resources to strengthen and accelerate WHO FCTC implementation at all levels. We build civil society’s capacity through hosting workshop and webinars, developing tools and resources, and documenting and sharing emerging best practices. Given the ever-changing tobacco control landscape, we actively work with our Alliance and partners to determine the best types of tools and resources needed to support policy and advocacy work.
- Provide training and capacity building support to CSOs and advocates to facilitate their participation in COP/MOP negotiations
- Develop toolkits and resources for CSOs to enhance their advocacy and program delivery
- Deliver multi-stakeholder workshops and webinars to build CSOs skills and knowledge on tobacco control and development
- Coordinate and support civil society in coalition-building and advocacy, including linking tobacco control with related issues areas such as NCDs and SDGs
Related Resources
- Tobacco control as an accelerator for the SDGs in Cambodia (2019): View Document
- Joint Letter to the UN SG RE: The role of the tobacco industry in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: View Document
- Framework Convention Alliance held a Budget Advocacy workshop on February 4-6, 2020: https://gatc-int.org/framework-convention-alliance-held-a-budget-advocacy-workshop-on-february-4-6-2020/
Convening Stakeholders & Partners
We seek a whole-of-government approach to WHO FCTC implementation with active engagement of civil society to support Governments in meeting their obligations under the WHO FCTC. Our engagement strategies have helped to strengthen regional and international networks within the tobacco control community and integrate tobacco control with other leading issues area such as NCDs, national development, and the SDGs.
- Facilitate an engaged and inclusive Alliance and strengthen relationships within the tobacco control community
- Provide communications tools for the GATC community to connect, coordinate, and engage in campaigns and advocacy
- Coordinate civil society to ensure a cohesive global movement
- Strengthen partnerships with organizations outside of the tobacco control community and increase their understanding of tobacco control as a multi-sectoral issue
- Provide scholarship and grants to LMICs and CSOs to support tobacco control programs and facilitate their participation in international forums
Related Resources
- Strategic Plan 2022-2025: https://gatc-int.org/about-us/strategic-plans
