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The purpose of this information hub is to bring together resources and knowledge about tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship [TAPS] that have cross-border implications. This site also highlights some examples of existing regulations of cross-border TAPS and other approaches to address this growing global issue.
This Hub was created to meet the mandate of decision FCTC/COP8(17) adopted at the Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP8) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
This website serves as a starting point for assisting Parties to the WHO FCTC to address this regulatory challenge, and it will be expanded to include reporting and monitoring features. Party cooperation, as outlined in Article 13, Paragraph 6 of the WHO FCTC, in the development of technologies and other means necessary to facilitate the elimination of cross-border advertising is urgently needed.
Since the adoption of the “Guidelines for Implementation of Article 13” at the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the WHO FCTC in 2008, the global media landscape has shifted significantly, including the global spread of online social media communication platforms.
Cross-border TAPS is of a particular concern in popular entertainment media and through online social media communication platforms. While the implementation of comprehensive TAPS bans is increasing among Parties, national regulators are struggling to address the use of entertainment media as a means of cross-border advertising and promotion. This is further compounded by the generally scant regulation of social media content.