The 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is set to begin amid continuing debate over how to regulate reduced-risk nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches.
COP11 is the 11th meeting of the treaty’s governing body and brings together nearly all countries that are parties to the FCTC. The FCTC is a legally binding public health treaty that sets out measures to reduce tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. A total of 183 parties participate in the treaty’s decisions, including EU countries and the EU itself, which takes part in decisions alongside its member states. COP11 does not create new laws. It provides a global forum for parties to review progress and adopt recommendations and guidelines to strengthen national and global tobacco control efforts.
