10 March 2018: the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hubs adopted a statement on the Foundation for a Smoke-free Wo

The Convention Secretariat convened a meeting of its knowledge hubs on 10 March 2018 on the sidelines of the World Conference on Tobacco or Health. The meeting was hosted in the premises of the WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Taxation at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. At the meeting, participants discussed issues related to tobacco industry interference and research collaborations between the knowledge hubs.

As part of the discussions on how tobacco industry interference might influence the country work of the knowledge hubs, including participation in research projects in Parties’ jurisdictions, the knowledge hubs also discussed their positions vis-a-vis the establishment of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (the Foundation) and its ties with Philip Morris International. They expressed their commitment to act in the spirit of Article 5.3 and its guidelines in carrying out their activities. To further declare their commitment the WHO FCTC’s Knowledge Hubs adopted and issued the following statement:

'' The WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hubs note the establishment of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (the Foundation), with the support of a 12-year funding commitment of USD960M from Philip Morris International. Having considered the circumstances of the Foundation’s establishment, its purposes and functions, and its relationship with Philip Morris International, and re-affirming our commitment to conduct our activities in accordance with WHO FCTC article 5.3, we declare that: · We will not seek or accept funding from or otherwise collaborate with the Foundation or any of its officers, agents or representatives. · We will not collaborate on projects or activities that receive funding or other support from the Foundation. ''