Brussels, 24 October
On 22 October 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a news release entitled “Tobacco industry targets WHO FCTC COP and MOP negotiations: Parties urged to stay vigilant” (available here).
In this communication, the WHO Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) alleged that the tobacco industry was attempting to “interfere” with upcoming negotiations ahead of the Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Geneva, including by “placing sympathetic actors in delegations” and “spreading misleading research.”
These accusations were later reported by media outlets, among which Politico in its Morning Health Care newsletter on 23 October.
Tobacco Europe firmly rejects these unfounded allegations and the characterisation of the industry’s engagement. The statement below reiterates our organisation’s commitment to transparency, evidence-based policymaking, and respect for democratic processes.
Read our full statement here: Tobacco-Europe-Statement-on-COP11-lobby.pdf (70 downloads )
