Laws and Regulations

Global Laws and Treaties

The WHO-sponsored FCTC (Framework Convention for Tobacco Control) garnered the required 40 parties and went into effect on February 27, 2005. There are now more than 120 signatories.

The US and China both signed the Treaty. China has ratified it; the US has not. Hopefuly the next US President will be lawfully elected and have no ties to the tobacco companies.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

"The Framework Convention process will activate all those areas of governance that have a direct impact on public health. Science and economics will mesh with legislation and litigation. Health ministers will work with their counterparts in finance, trade, labour, agriculture and social affairs ministries to give public health the place it deserves. The challenge for us comes in seeking global and national solutions in tandem for a problem that cuts across national boundaries, cultures, societies and socio-economic strata."

-Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General Emeritus, World Health Organization

- Final text of the Framework convention on tobacco control

See Article 8 about smoking in public places.

- Full list of signatories and ratifiers