The Union is a global leader in the fight against tobacco use.
The Union centres its tobacco control work around the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) - an international health treaty - and a package of evidence-based measures proven to reduce tobacco use called MPOWER. Our work has spanned over 50 countries, impacting two-thirds of the world’s smokers. We focus on low- and middle-income countries, where 80 percent of tobacco deaths occur.
Our priority areas of work
The most effective way to reduce tobacco use is through the implementation of comprehensive tobacco control policies that are proven to tackle both supply and demand, like those set-out in the WHO FCTC and MPOWER package of tobacco reduction measures. The Union's work focuses on the priority areas below.
Tobacco advertising
subtitle: The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars on advertising to increase sales
The Union has helped 4.13 billion people in 28 countries through advertising bans.
Our projects
From 2006 to 2023, The Union co-managed the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Grants Program, which awards funds to projects delivering high-impact tobacco control interventions in low- and middle-income countries. In 2019 The Union launched the Global Implementation Programme, which supports cities to effectively implement tobacco control laws, and we are a key partner in STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog. Both projects are also funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Grants Program
The Union has managed 495 Bloomberg tobacco control grants in 45 countries.
Where we work
Many low- and middle-income countries, where 80 percent of tobacco-related deaths occur, are faced with rising affordability of tobacco products as well as an aggressive tobacco industry that targets both consumers and governments – so rates of tobacco use continue to rise. The Union has supported over 50 countries worldwide to implement tobacco control policies, impacting billions of people.
2022 Tobacco Control Factsheets
The Union’s Tobacco Control Department has produced five factsheets on critical aspects of tobacco control: COVID-19 and Tobacco; E-cigarettes, Heated Tobacco Products, and the Need for Bans in LMICs; Tobacco Control Implementation and Enforcement; Novel Products, Young People, and Policy; and Tobacco Vendor Licensing. These factsheets offer a deep dive into specific topics, summarizing evidence, defining key terms, and providing practical guidance and evidence-based recommendations.
Tobacco Control Publications
The Union produces publications and resources to support governments and civil society working to reduce tobacco use. These support the implementation of evidence-based tobacco control policies; and provide guidance on complex new issues for tobacco control, such as e-cigarettes, to spark debate leading to further research and action. Find all Union publications.
3.69bn
people in 37 countries through smokefree laws
3.87bn
people in 28 countries through higher tobacco tax
3.29bn
people in 32 countries through graphic health warnings
1.18bn
people in 30 countries where tobacco industry interference in government now faces restrictions
4.13bn
people in 28 countries through advertising bans
The latest news on tobacco control
PHILIPPINES RESTORES THE FDA AND DOH’S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE TOBACCO PRODUCTS
After a 11-year battle, the Philippines’ Supreme Court ruled to uphold the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to regulate all products affecting health, including tobacco products. This reverses a 2011 petition filed by the Philippine Tobacco Institute—its members include Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc., Fortune Tobacco Corp., La Suerte Cigar, and Cigarette Factory—to prevent tobacco products regulation by the FDA and DOH.
WHO awards President of Mexico with 2022 World No Tobacco Day special prize for outstanding tobacco control progress
On 31 May, the President of México, the Honorable Andrés Manuel López Obrador received special recognition from the World Health…
Invest in tobacco control to end tuberculosis in Indonesia
Over 61.4 million people in Indonesia smoke, with 65% of all adult men smoking. In 2020, the Joint External Monitoring Mission on…
Government of Manipur Adopted Official State Policy to Stop Tobacco Industry Interference (TII)
After acknowledging that it is critical to ensuring and protecting the public health, the North-Eastern Indian state Manipur issued a…
Bangladesh Railway Minister Transforms Country’s Trains, making them completely Smokefree
The Bangladesh railway system—this includes stations, platforms, and train compartments—is now entirely smokefree, following a February…
Timor-Leste Raises Tobacco Taxes
On 15th December 2021, Timor-Leste determined that it would increase tax on tobacco products, effective January 2022. The excise tax…
As part of the Tobacco Control Section, Union members work closely to organise webinars on varied tobacco control topics of interest to international audience, and assist tobacco control implementers and advocates with policy making in their countries, and contribute to the scientific programme of The Union World Lung Conference.