BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: While the WHO FCTC has been ratified by most of the European Union Member States (EU MS) as well as by the EU, concrete tools to advance the implementation of Art. 5.3 are often lacking. Furthermore, the emergence of different novel nicotine products in recent years has also created new challenges in monitoring tobacco industry interference, for example with companies producing products with non-tobacco derived nicotine. JA Prevent Non-communicable diseases (JAPreventNCD) project aims to reduce the burden of cancer and non-communicable diseases in EU MS.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: As part of JAPreventNCD, a questionnaire was developed to examine existing practices to monitor tobacco and consumer nicotine industry interference, and practical examples of industry interference in five EU countries. Partners collected data from their own countries in July-September 2024, reflecting the past five years. Additionally, they assessed whether their countries would have the capacity to join an existing monitoring system (Global Tobacco Index, GTI).
RESULTS AND IMPACT: All five countries agreed that collecting evidence about industry interference at national level would be beneficial. However, there was a clear lack of practices and registries to monitor tobacco industry interference, only one country having a designated organization responsible for regularly monitoring tobacco industry interference at national level. Nonetheless, most partners identified instances where tobacco/nicotine companies had recently tried to influence health or tobacco control policies in their country. Finally, three out of five countries indicated their interest to join the GTI in 2025.
CONCLUSIONS: Supporting countries in establishing or joining existing monitoring system on tobacco and related entities interference is essential in promoting the implementation of WHO FCTC Art. 5.3. Multi-sectoral and -national collaboration can help to build capacities to resist industry tactics and promote public health. Countries need tools to better address interference of nicotine industries, and interference outside health sector.