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.
Laboratory strengthening strategies to advance drug susceptibility testing for BPaL regimens in TB treatment
An article in a forthcoming issue of PHA assesses efforts to strengthen drug susceptibility testing in seven countries to support BPaL rollout, highlighting variable capacity and the need for ongoing training and infrastructure.
Financing the future of TB control: from dependence to resilience
An Editorial in a forthcoming issue of PHA highlights how cuts in donor funding for TB threaten progress but also present an opportunity for governments to invest in resilient, patient-centered health systems. The preprint is free to read.
Conflation of prediction and causality in the TB literature
A forthcoming IJTLD OPEN article addresses the frequent conflation of prediction and causal inference in observational TB studies, and outlines practical recommendations to enhance research precision and transparency.
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
Strengthening TB Response: Union’s 32nd International Course Wraps Up in Cotonou
The Union’s flagship training course on tuberculosis control marked a significant milestone with the successful completion of its 32nd edition in Cotonou, Benin. Bringing together health professionals from across six countries, the course combined online learning with intensive in-person training, reaffirming the Union’s commitment to strengthening TB response through capacity building and international collaboration.
Laboratory strengthening strategies to advance drug susceptibility testing for BPaL regimens in TB treatment
An article in a forthcoming issue of PHA assesses efforts to strengthen drug susceptibility testing in seven countries to support BPaL rollout, highlighting variable capacity and the need for ongoing training and infrastructure.
Financing the future of TB control: from dependence to resilience
An Editorial in a forthcoming issue of PHA highlights how cuts in donor funding for TB threaten progress but also present an opportunity for governments to invest in resilient, patient-centered health systems. The preprint is free to read.
New Chief Scientific Officer joining The Union
The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) has announce its appointment of a new Chief Scientific Officer…
Clean air for blue skies: protecting lungs, protecting lives
Today is the sixth International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, and we are reminded of the invisible crisis surrounding us: polluted…
Union Courses: Empowering TB professionals across the globe
In 2024, Union Courses continued to make a meaningful impact on the global fight against tuberculosis (TB), as confirmed by our latest participant survey. The survey, conducted in July 2025, gathered feedback from learners who completed our online and in-person courses in English, Spanish, or French throughout the year.
Bringing the tobacco control community back together: World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025
The World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025, held in Dublin, Ireland from 23–25 June, brought together 1,300 delegates from around the…
Union members drive prioritisation of pregnant women
The recently published World Health Organization (WHO) call to action and consensus statement about prioritising pregnant and…
Mapping TB with AI brings new hope for surveillance in low-resource settings
A new study has used artificial intelligence (AI) modelling to effectively identify areas with a high burden of tuberculosis in Bangui,…
Innovative approach to TB detection and prevention yields encouraging results in Uganda
An evaluation conducted across six high-volume tuberculosis (TB) clinics in Uganda has shown promising results in identifying and…
Dr Kedar Mehta’s SORT IT journey: recognising the importance of research that has real world impact
Dr Kedar Mehta’s professional trajectory took a significant turn after completing the SORT IT (Structured Operational Research and…
The Union Launches New Online Course in French: “Tobacco – History, Consequences, and Cessation”
The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is pleased to announce the launch of a new, free online course in French: Tobacco – History, Consequences, and Cessation.
Empowering healthcare workers to combat childhood tuberculosis: A milestone in the fight against tuberculosis in Lesotho
The Union’s Sub-Saharan Africa Region Child and Adolescent TB Centre of Excellence (COE) in collaboration with U.S. Centers for Disease…
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.