Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Fifth session Seoul, Republic of Korea, 12–17 November 2012
17 November 2012
DECISION FCTC/COP5(5) Seoul Declaration
Noting the report of the Convention Secretariat on global progress in implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC);1 Recalling decision FCTC/COP4(5) adopting the Punta del Este Declaration on the implementation of the WHO FCTC; Welcoming the political declarations of the First Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Noncommunicable Disease Control held in April 2011, the High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases held in September 2011,2 and the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health held in October 2011, the political outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in June 2012,3 and the resolution of the Economic and Social Council on United Nations system-wide coherence on tobacco control adopted in July 2012;4 Acknowledging that the global burden and threat of noncommunicable diseases constitutes one of the major challenges for sustainable development, and recognizing the critical importance of reducing the level of exposure of individuals and populations to risk factors including tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke; Recognizing the contribution of tobacco control efforts to improving public health and supporting the fundamental right of every human being to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health;
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Document FCTC/COP/5/5. Resolution A/RES/66/2. Resolution A/RES/66/288. Resolution E/RES/2012/4.
FCTC/COP5(5)
Emphasizing the call of the international community to accelerate the implementation by Parties to the WHO FCTC and the encouragement to countries that have not yet done so to consider acceding to the Convention; Noting with concern that the most frequently reported barrier to effective implementation of the WHO FCTC is interference by the tobacco industry; Recalling the fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and public health policy interests; Reiterating their determination to give priority to their right to protect public health; The Parties to the WHO FCTC declare: 1. Their commitment to accelerate implementation of the Convention in order to reduce continually and substantially the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. 2. Their determination to support, at the national, regional and international levels, comprehensive, multisectoral and coordinated approaches to tobacco control, recognizing that effective noncommunicable disease prevention and control requires whole-of-government approaches. 3. Their commitment to continue efforts to mobilize the financial and technical resources needed to support tobacco control activities, especially in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. 4. Their resolve to strengthen action to protect tobacco control policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, as required by Article 5.3 of the Convention and consistent with the guidelines for its implementation. 5. Their determination not to allow tobacco industry interference to slow or prevent the development and implementation of tobacco control measures in the interests of public health and in accordance with the Convention and consistent with its guidelines. 6. Their commitment to cooperate with each other and with the Convention Secretariat and other competent international bodies, consistent with Article 22 of the Convention, to strengthen their capacity to fulfil the obligations arising from the Convention and in efforts to counteract tobacco industry interference.
(Fourth plenary meeting, 17 November 2012)
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