COP11 outcome: decisive progress in the fight against tobacco despite a major industry lobby

The 11thThe Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), held from 17 to 22 November 2025 in Geneva, resulted in several decisions on key issues, despite a complex negotiation context among the 183 Parties present due to interference from tobacco manufacturers through various delegations.[1]. The 11th^e The COP session notably adopted important decisions regarding incentives for Parties to take ambitious forward-looking measures (Article 2.1 of the FCTC), and regarding the legal responsibility of the tobacco industry, encompassing criminal, civil, and environmental aspects. In this latter area, actions to reduce environmental impact will be expanded, while avenues have also been explored for mobilizing resources to finance tobacco control.

Progress in the application and development of the UNFCCC treaty

The 11th^e session of the Conference of the Parties was marked by several advances in strengthening the implementation of the FCTC.

Thus, Article 2.1 on forward-looking measures has been strengthened, encouraging Parties to take steps beyond the strict wording of the Convention. Dennis van Driel, public affairs advisor for the Dutch NGO Heart Foundation, cited the Netherlands, which has banned the sale of e-cigarette flavorings and nicotine pouches, as a significant forward-looking measure; the generational ban, also adopted or underway in a growing number of countries, can also be mentioned. In the first instance, these measures provide leverage to anticipate the rapid evolution of tobacco and nicotine products.[2] but also a framework for removing tobacco from companies.

Article 18 on environmental issues related to tobacco and nicotine products has also been strengthened, by establishing a coordination mechanism, developing studies and scientific research, developing awareness campaigns, and identifying, denouncing and countering greenwashing (greenwashing) of the industry under Articles 18 and 5.3, and by considering comprehensive regulatory options. The progress achieved allows for the consideration of a range of actions, including a ban on the filter.

In addition, Article 19 on the legal responsibility of the tobacco industry has been strengthened through the adoption of a report containing 30 recommendations for countries on holding the tobacco industry accountable, including civil, criminal, administrative, environmental, and human rights-related matters. Parties are invited to examine these recommendations, as well as the tools and resources available to strengthen the implementation of Article 19.

Finally, the Parties decided to establish a sustainable financing mechanism based not only on international cooperation but also, and above all, on internal resource mechanisms within Member States. These resources are necessary for countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries, to implement the treaty measures.

Several delegations and organizations welcomed these advances, considering them to strengthen States' capacity to act on tobacco and nicotine products. Some regions, such as Africa, the Americas, and the EU (speaking on behalf of the European region), highlighted increased cooperation, enabling the adoption of new measures and maintaining a high level of ambition for the continuation of the international tobacco control process.

" COP11 allowed the world to take another step towards ending the smoking epidemic. »" said Laurent Huber, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health.« We saw real progress at COP11, and it is now up to all of us – governments, civil society, and public health stakeholders – to implement these new international standards. It is through their application that lives are saved, and COP11 has given us the tools we need to do so. ".

Strong industry interference has led to several postponed decisions.

These results are all the more remarkable given the strong mobilization of the tobacco industry and other vaping companies to obstruct the discussions. Some delegations failed to comply with the provisions of Article 5.3 concerning the protection of public policies against tobacco industry interference and, throughout the session, championed the interests of manufacturers. This interference also largely explains the European Union's hesitant stance in addressing this issue within its own borders. As a result, certain decisions were postponed, including the regulation of new nicotine products, restrictions on flavorings, environmental measures such as the ban on filters, and legal liability frameworks.[3].

Nevertheless, despite the widely disseminated rhetoric fueled by industry funding, this strategy of obstruction has failed. This failure by industry underscores the commitment of the vast majority of countries to the WHO treaty, which protects populations from the commercial interests of manufacturers.

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[1]Edoxie Allier, The anti-smoking COP stumbles on the issue of harm reduction, Context, published on November 24, 2025, accessed the same day

[2]ASH, COP11 Synopsis: WHO Tobacco Treaty Negotiations, Published on November 22, 2025, accessed on November 24, 2025

[3]Luciano Ruggia, COP11 is ending — and Switzerland can no longer look away, Swiss Association for Tobacco Prevention, published on November 24, 2025, accessed on November 25, 2025

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