It is the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, with participants from 180 countries, and the 3rd follow-up conference of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (MOP3), which is attended by delegates from nearly 70 nations.

COP10, which will last until next Saturday, is aimed at reviewing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and making decisions that will influence public policies in many countries.

The conclusions adopted during this meeting will not be binding, but will have a significant impact as a guideline for national policies.

Experts warn that while such exchanges are taking place and the number of smokers worldwide is decreasing, the tobacco industry is trying to reverse this situation.

Several WHO studies estimate that tobacco is the cause of death of more than eight million people every year in the world, including 1.3 million passive smokers exposed to the smoke of others.

However, they estimate that the fight against smoking lacks the priority it should have.

The tobacco industry is intensifying its efforts to undermine this progress, in particular by targeting new, highly addictive products at minors,’ the WHO said in a recent statement.

In this regard, COP10 has on its agenda issues such as advertising, promotion and industry sponsorship, as well as emerging tobacco products, among others.

Electronic cigarettes, whose consumption is increasing mainly among young people, is an issue on debate by the parties at these meetings.

At the end of COP10, the third follow-up conference to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (MOP3) will begin.

This protocol, in force since September 25, 2018, is part of the Framework Convention and seeks to end the illicit manufacture and smuggling of tobacco products.

jg/abo/jcm/ga