Article 5.3 is one of the most important cross-cutting provisions of the Convention, and one for which implementation guidelines have been adopted. It requires Parties to protect their tobacco control and public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

Article 6 encourages price and tax measures as effective means to reduce the demand for tobacco. These include tax increases that result in an increase of the sales price of tobacco products; and prohibiting or restricting sales of tax- and duty-free tobacco products. Guidelines for implementation of Article 6 were adopted at COP6 in October 2014.

Article 8 requires Parties to adopt effective national legislation, and actively promote effective sub-national legislation, that requires 100% smoke-free environments in all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, on all means of public transport, and, as appropriate, other public places. The Article 8 Guidelines urge Parties to also create 100% smoke-free environments in outdoor or quasi-outdoor spaces where a hazard exists due to tobacco smoke exposure.

The Articles 9 and 10 (partial) Guidelines call on Parties to require manufacturers and importers to disclose information to governmental authorities about ingredients, design features, company information, and sales volume. Parties are also urged to prohibit or restrict ingredients that may be used to increase palatability in tobacco products, that have certain coloring properties, or that may create the impression that they have a health benefit, including being associated with energy and vitality.

Article 11 requires Parties, within three years after entry into force of the FCTC for that Party, to adopt and implement effective measures to: 1) prohibit misleading tobacco packaging and labeling; 2) ensure that tobacco product packages carry large, clear, rotating health warnings and messages that cover 50% or more, but not less than 30%, of principal display areas and that are in the Parties’ principal language(s); and 3) ensure that packages contain prescribed information on the tobacco products’ constituents and emissions. Guidelines on implementation of Article 11 were adopted at COP3

The Article 12 concerns raising public awareness of tobacco control issues through all available communication tools, such as media campaigns, educational programmes and training. It also calls upon Parties to promote training and sensitization programmes among a broad range of target groups, including media professionals and decision-makers, among others. Parties are also required to promote access by the public to information on the tobacco industry. COP4 adopted guidelines for the implementation of Article 12.

Article 13 requires that Parties, in accordance with their constitutions and constitutional principles, comprehensively ban all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) within five years of the treaty’s entry into force for that Party. A Party not in a position to comprehensively ban tobacco TAPS due to its constitution or constitutional principles nevertheless must apply restrictions on all tobacco TAPS that are as comprehensive as legally possible. This limits the tobacco company from shifting promotional means to other products that are not banned. The comprehensive ban (or restrictions, where applicable) should apply to both domestic and cross- border tobacco TAPS. Guidelines for implementation.

Article 14 requires Parties to take effective measures to promote cessation of tobacco use and adequate treatment for tobacco dependence. Parties recognize that tobacco use is highly addictive, that implementing tobacco dependence measures should occur in conjunction with other effective tobacco control measures required by the FCTC, and that treatment should be accessible and affordable. The Article 14 Guidelines identify numerous specific actions that Parties should take to effectively implement Article 14.

Article 15 requires Parties to take measures to eliminate the illicit trade of tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing, and counterfeiting. Article 15 encourages Parties to consider developing a practical tracking and tracing regime, and adopt and implement further measures, such as licensing, in order to prevent illicit trade. See more on the Illicit Trade page.

Under this article, Parties are obligated,in cooperation with each other and with competent intergovernmental organizations, to promote economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers, growers and, as the case may be, individual sellers.

Under this article, Parties are obligated,in cooperation with each other and with competent intergovernmental organizations, to promote economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers, growers and, as the case may be, individual sellers.

Article 18 addresses concerns regarding the serious risks posed by tobacco growing to human health and to the environment.