WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat has created several Knowledge Hubs worldwide to support Parties in implementing the Convention. WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3, based at the School of Global Studies, Thammasat University in Thailand, protecting tobacco control policies from interference from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.
Professor. Dr. Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan
Director of WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3
Our objectives are:
Background Information on WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3
The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international health treaty, where 182 countries covering more than 90% of the world population, are Parties to this Convention. The WHO FCTC entered into force in 2005 and Thailand ratified the Convention in 2004.
The WHO FCTC became a critical instrument for countries to respond to the devasting health impact of tobacco use which responsible for over 8 million deaths annually. Since its commencement, the Conference of Parties (COP) has been the platform for Parties to elaborate the various provisions prescribed in the WHO FCTC in order to strengthen its obligations under the Convention. COP 10 will take place in November of this year. In order to assist Parties in implementing the WHO FCTC, the Convention Secretariat establishes Knowledge Hubs (KH) to be the knowledge base and provide technical assistance upon request by Parties. Presently, there are nine Knowledge Hubs across the globe where each KH focuses on a particular article of the Convention.
In 2017, the Convention Secretariat appointed the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) as the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3. This Knowledge Hub, established in partnership with the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University and the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, hosted at the School of Global Studies, Thammasat University in Thailand. Its primary mission revolves around curbing tobacco industry interference in the implementation of the Convention. Since 2017 until December 2022, the work of WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 at the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) has spanned the globe by providing technical assistance, producing policy briefs and other critical publications, developing toolkits, and serving as a clearinghouse for information on tobacco industry tactics used to influence public health policies.
This year, the Convention Secretariat is embarking on the new phase of the Knowledge Hubs which includes Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3. We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between Thammasat University and Mahidol University in launching the next phase of the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3. The knowledge hub will continue to be hosted physically at Thammasat University's School of Global Studies. Our top priority remains assisting Parties in implementing Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, promoting good governance and policy coherence in tobacco control, and preventing tobacco industry interference in public health policies.
Since 2017, the work of WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 at School of Global Studies, Thammasat University has spanned the globe by providing technical assistance, producing policy briefs and other critical publications, developing toolkits, and serving as a clearinghouse for information on tobacco industry tactics used to influence public health policies. Our works continue to focus on the following:
Providing technical assistance
to Parties, the various WHO regional offices, intergovernmental organizations, and civil societies.
Capacity Building by
∙ Building and updating knowledge base by delivering online courses on the implementation of WHO FCTC Article 5.3, conducting webinars of the various issues related to tobacco industry interference, developing tools to implement Article 5.3, and
elaborating policy recommendations and best practices by Parties.
∙ Conducting workshops on key issues to strengthen the implementation of Article 5.3
Knowledge management
relevant to various aspects of tobacco industry interferences by
∙ Authoring reports and policy briefs
∙ Assembling resources database on tobacco industry interference and provide links to those resources
Monitoring the tobacco industry interferences by
∙ Proactively mining the web for suspicious tobacco industry interferences activities around the globe and inform the global tobacco control communities
∙ Partnering with organizations with similar mandates and objectives
∙ Providing a confidential platform whereby tobacco industry
interferences may be reported
Our top priority remains assisting Parties in implementing Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, promoting good governance and policy coherence in tobacco control, and preventing tobacco industry interference in public health policies.
The evolving transformation of the tobacco industry is far ahead of tobacco control efforts. To counter their dynamism and vast resources, a concerted effort by organizations and individuals committed to protecting public health policy from tobacco industry interference is needed. This would be the key to thwarting their efforts to undermine the Parties' resolve to successfully implement the WHO FCTC. These efforts will also be in line with specific objective 3.2.4 of the Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control, that is, implementing WHO FCTC Article 5.3 and continually monitor tobacco industry activities at the national and international arena. Thus, at the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3, we are committed to achieving our mission by leveraging the knowledge and experiences of our international, regional, and national collaborators who share our objectives.
Wednesday 14 June 2023 at 13.00-15.00 pm.
MoU Signing Ceremony
(WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3)
At Prakob Hutasingha Conference Room, Multipurpose Building 1,
the 3rd Floor, Thammasat University, Tha Phrachan Campus
Thammasat University and Mahidol University have entered a new partnership to strengthen the work of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Knowledge Hub on Article 5.3.
This partnership, formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC and the two Thai universities, aims to enhance the work surrounding Article 5.3 of the Convention. Article 5.3 emphasizes the need for all participating countries to safeguard tobacco control policies from the influence of the tobacco industry’s commercial and vested interests.
Under this agreement, the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Article 5.3 will remain located at Thammasat University’s School of Global Studies. Its primary responsibilities will include providing technical support, generating guidance materials and other essential publications, creating tools, and serving as a central repository for information on strategies employed by the tobacco industry to impact public health policies, particularly those concerning tobacco control.