The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the first global treaty for public health negotiated under the auspices of WHO. If it comes into force, signatory governments will be obliged to implement a comprehensive range of evidence-based policies that will help reduce smoking in their countries. Addressing passive smoking, tobacco advertising, price, smuggling, public education and product regulation, the policy measures when implemented will create a social context that will encourage smokers to stop and discourage young people from starting. Health professionals and educators need these public policies to support their work with individuals.
Read the full treaty text here.

The Convention is an inter-governmental treaty, which needs to be signed and ratified by individual governments. However, the treaty formally recognises the role of civil society in the implementation of the treaty, mandating them to participate in the development of country-level measures. While citizens and NGOs do not have the power to sign or ratify the treaty, they have a role in pressing governments to do so, and a responsibility to be ready to support the measures their governments develop to implement the treaty.

The treaty will come into force 90 days after the 40th country ratifies – but that won’t happen unless governments are urged to ratify, which means civil society needs to demonstrate its support.

While you canÂ’t sign or ratify the treaty in the same way as a government, you can use your voice and you can contribute your expertise.

• Use your voice – add your name to the list of organisations and citizens worldwide who think the treaty is a good idea and are willing to help make it work – thatÂ’s what governments do when they sign the real treaty.
  
  
• Contribute your expertise – look at the treaty measures and decide which ones you can help with – if you are a health professional organisation, your members could be involved in smoking cessation. If you are a consumer rights organisation, you could be supporting work on product regulation. If you are an educator, you could be ensuring that tobacco issues are addressed in your curriculum. And of course every organisation can implement smoke-free policies. The treaty requires governments to set up national co-ordinating groups on tobacco control – be ready to volunteer for that. When youÂ’ve decided what you can do, and are prepared to get your members ready to do it, you are ready for ratification, so you can add your name to the ratification list.