The Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) concluded in Geneva on November 22, with 160 Parties adopting major decisions on tobacco and nicotine regulation, environmental protection, sustainable financing, and tobacco industry liability. A landmark decision mandates a complete ban on the use and sale of tobacco and all novel nicotine products across all UN premises worldwide.
Key Points
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Parties are invited to consider the comprehensive regulation of tobacco and nicotine product components to reduce environmental harm.
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Domestic resource mobilisation reaffirmed as essential for sustainable tobacco control funding.
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Strengthened implementation of Article 19 on tobacco industry liability is encouraged.
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UN-wide ban adopted on all tobacco and nicotine products, including heated tobacco, ENDS/ENNDS, nicotine pouches, and disposables.
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Parties urged to reinforce protections against tobacco industry interference (Article 5.3).
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COP12 to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in 2027.
Global Gathering to Advance Tobacco Control
24 November 2025 — According to an official WHO news release. The Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) concluded in Geneva from 17–22 November 2025. A total of 160 Parties gathered to discuss global tobacco control measures under one of the most widely embraced UN treaties dedicated to ending the global tobacco epidemic.
Andrew Black, Acting Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, said the decisions adopted will help save millions of lives in the years ahead and protect the planet from the environmental harms caused by tobacco.
Environmental and Health Impacts Under Review
Key agenda items addressed included the environmental and health impacts of tobacco, including measures to prevent and manage waste from tobacco and nicotine products and related electronic devices. Trillions of cigarette butts containing plastic filters pollute the environment annually.
A decision was adopted inviting Parties to consider comprehensive regulatory options for tobacco and nicotine product components and related external elements that contribute to environmental harm.
Strengthening Sustainable Financing for Tobacco Control
Another decision reaffirmed domestic resource mobilisation as a core strategy for achieving sustainable and predictable funding for national tobacco control programmes.
Advancing Tobacco Industry Liability
The meeting also addressed Article 19 of the WHO FCTC, which relates to criminal and civil liability for tobacco-related harms. Parties adopted a decision encouraging the strengthened implementation of this article through enhanced cooperation.
Exploring Forward-Looking Measures Beyond Treaty Requirements
Forward-looking tobacco control measures under Article 2.1 were also discussed, including approaches that go beyond the Convention’s basic requirements.
UN-Wide Ban on All Tobacco and Novel Nicotine Products
A landmark decision was adopted calling for a complete ban on the use and sale of all tobacco products and all novel and emerging nicotine products. Including heated tobacco products, ENDS/ENNDS, nicotine pouches, and disposable ENDS—across all UN indoor and outdoor premises worldwide.
Protecting Policies from Industry Interference
Agenda item 4.5 addressed measures to prevent and reduce nicotine addiction and the need to protect such measures from tobacco industry interference, particularly regarding new products marketed with unproven health claims.
Participation and Future Meetings
More than 1,600 participants registered for COP11. Including Parties, NGOs, and youth observers. It was also announced that COP12 and MOP5 will be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in 2027.
The Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products will convene in Geneva from 24 to 26 November to discuss strategies for advancing the implementation of the Protocol.
