Background:
Article 13 of the WHO FCTC provides guidelines for successful enforcement and implementation of effective measures against tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS). Evidence suggests that TAPS ban reduces tobacco use, especially among young people, while partial bans provide opportunities for tobacco companies to find new marketing ways. Current paper provides an insight on global progress on implementation of Article 13 for Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) products, and compares it with cigarettes (CIG).

Methods:
The current paper has evaluated global progress in ban on direct and indirect advertisement, promotion and sponsorship on SLT products. Exposure to advertisement and promotion was also assessed.

Results:
There is unequal implementation of provisions under Article 13 on CIG and SLT products (direct advertisement in 'National TV and Radio', 'National Print media' and 'Billboards' is banned in 60% parties for SLT, and in 70% for CIG). Less than half of the Parties have banned Promotions and Sponsorship for SLT and less than 60% have done the same for CIG. Less than one-fifth of Parties have framed comprehensive policies for CIG and only one-eighth Parties have them on SLT. Core questions under TAPS have been investigated only for CIG, and a limited number of Parties (notably India and Bangladesh) have additionally investigated SLT, reporting nearly 50% adult's response rate to exposure of SLT product advertisements.

Conclusions:
A comprehensive ban of Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship (TAPS) should be developed and implemented for all tobacco products in all Parties.