Signing of memorandum of understanding between Secretariat of WHO FCTC, Thammasat and Mahidol universities in Thailand

Thammasat University and Mahidol University have entered a new partnership to strengthen the work of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Knowledge Hub on Article 5.3.

The partnership, which was sealed today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC and the two Thai universities, will strengthen work on Article 5.3 of the Convention, which requires all Parties act to protect tobacco control policies from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

The WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Article 5.3 will continue to be housed at the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University and will provide technical assistance, produce guidance notes and other key publications, develop tools, and act as a clearing house for information on the tactics used by the tobacco industry to influence public health policies, especially those related to tobacco control.

Tobacco control, a global public health issue

The WHO FCTC and its protocols aim to protect present and future generations from the health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. It provides a framework for the implementation of tobacco control measures by Parties at the national, regional and international levels. The WHO FCTC currently has 182 Parties. Since 2014, the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC has coordinated the establishment of nine knowledge hubs in different regions of the world to support Parties in addressing tobacco control issues.

Since its ratification of the WHO FCTC in 2004, Thailand has been a global leader in tobacco control. In 2017, the WHO FCTC Secretariat and the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University jointly established the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Article 5.3.  

Global leadership in monitoring and preventing tobacco industry interference

Today's ceremony confirms the determination of Thammasat University and Mahidol University to work together in updating and strengthening the knowledge base on tobacco industry interference by organizing tailor-made capacity-building events on various issues related to tobacco industry interference. The development of tools, policy recommendations and best practices for the implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC is also among the main areas of work of the Knowledge Hub.

In her opening address, Associate Professor Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector of Thammasat University, reminded participants of Thailand's remarkable progress in tobacco control nationally and internally, stressing that the involvement of the higher education sector in the implementation of the WHO FCTC has been instrumental in ensuring such success.

"However, this success is marred by the many obstacles encountered primarily due to the tobacco industry's continued efforts to thwart the development and implementation of our tobacco control policies," Associate Professor Witoonchart said.

Also speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, affirmed the important role this new partnership will play in providing global leadership through the continuous development and sharing of knowledge on "mechanisms to act as a watchdog against tobacco industry interference” in Thailand and in all 182 Parties to the WHO FCTC.

While commending Thailand for its exemplary role in tobacco control, Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the Secretariat, reminded participants at the signing ceremony that strengthening the network of knowledge hubs to support the Secretariat and Parties in implementing specific technical areas of the Convention – and particularly in implementing Article 5.3 and monitoring tobacco industry activities at the national and international levels – is among the key objectives of the Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control: Advancing Sustainable Development through Implementation of the WHO FCTC 2019–2025, adopted in 2018.  

“I can say with confidence that this Knowledge Hub has done some excellent work over the past six years,” she added.

About the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Article 5.3

WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 draws together the academic discipline, diversity and global reach of both the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University and of Mahidol University in countering tobacco industry interference to advance tobacco control measures at the country, regional and global levels.

About the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC

Established in 2007, the Secretariat serves as the secretariat of both the WHO FCTC and of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The Secretariat is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland; however, it has its own distinct mandate, function and governance structure. The Secretariat implements and reports on workplans and budgets adopted by the governing bodies of the two treaties, namely, the Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC and the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol. The functions of the Secretariat are to support the governing and subsidiary bodies of the treaties, to provide assistance to Parties to the WHO FCTC and to Parties to the Protocol, and to promote the two treaties through cooperation with international organizations and bodies, nongovernmental organizations and external stakeholders.

The original press release is published on WHO FCTC.