Experts from 18 countries have arrived in India to participate in the first meeting of the working group of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC),which gets underway in Delhi on Wednesday. The two-day meeting is part of international consultations aimed at developing a standardised methodological framework for comprehensive assessment of the viability and sustainability of tobacco growing and alternative livelihoods. This will include not just developing alternative cropping systems but will also take into account health,social,environmental and economic factors. The FCTC is the only international public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO). India is among the 168 countries to have ratified the WHO-FCTC. The FCTC has identified key strategies for reduction in demand and supply of tobacco products. The key demand reduction strategies include price tax measures and non-price measures like ban on smoking in public places,comprehensive ban on advertisement,promotion and sponsorship,statutory warnings,tobacco product regulations. Likewise,key supply reduction strategies include combating illicit trade,alternative livelihood to tobacco workers,alternate cropping. India is committed to reducing tobacco production by 50 per cent by 2020 in accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. There are an estimated 35 million people who either directly or indirectly earn their livelihoods by growing tobacco,according to the Consortium of Indian Farmers Association. Farmers groups say the government has failed to take into account their interests and not found ways to help them make the transition away from tobacco and find suitable alternative crops to grow. About 45 participants from 18 countries including Bangladesh,Brazil,China,Ghana,Greece,Iran,Mexico,Philippines,Thailand,Turkey and Zambia will participate in the working group meeting.
