The world’s first public health treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is designed to reduce the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco by providing the basic tools for countries to enact comprehensive tobacco control legislation. FCTC is a legally binding treaty negotiated by the 192 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO). Tobacco Law Center Director, Doug Blanke, monitored the negotiations toward the Framework Convention at the request of the American Lung Association.
For the treaty to come into force, 40 countries must sign and ratify it. The treaty opened for signature by countries June 16, 2003 at WHO headquarters, Geneva. FCTC is available for signature at UN headquarters in New York from June 30, 2003 - June 29, 2004.