BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption remains a major global public health concern, responsible for over 8 million preventable deaths annually. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) offers a comprehensive approach to tackling the tobacco epidemic, with Articles 9 and 10 addressing the testing, measurement, and disclosure of tobacco product contents. Effective implementation of these articles is essential for regulatory progress and tobacco control worldwide. However, implementation of these provisions varies significantly across different countries.
METHODS: This scoping review investigates the global landscape of implementing WHO FCTC Articles 9 and 10, utilizing the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to guide the analysis. A comprehensive literature search yielded 5947 articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus databases, with 4519 duplicates detected and resolved. Studies were screened independently by three reviewers according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings were synthesized narratively and analyzed qualitatively following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
RESULTS: The review included a total of eight studies, revealing diverse strategies for implementing WHO FCTC Articles 9 and 10. Key barriers identified were corporate opposition (25%) and ambiguous flavor definitions (25%), which hindered progress. Facilitators such as plain packaging (highlighted in 50% of studies) and standardized definitions of flavors (25%) demonstrated significant potential to enhance regulatory compliance. Regional variations were evident, with countries like Australia, France, and Canada showing strong adoption of these measures, while others struggled due to limited resources and enforcement challenges.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize uneven progress in implementing WHO FCTC Articles 9 and 10, with critical barriers like corporate opposition and resource constraints affecting compliance. Facilitators such as plain packaging and standardized flavour definitions can serve as effective strategies for overcoming these challenges. Region-specific interventions can be adapted to address systemic barriers and replicate successful practices are essential to improve global tobacco control efforts and achieve the objectives of the WHO FCTC.