The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The UN Ad Hoc Interagency Task Force on Tobacco Control was established by the Secretary-General of the UN in 1999 to intensify a joint United Nations response to the burden caused by tobacco and to galvanise global support for tobacco control. This presentation aims to provide information about the Task Force, it also aims to explore new grounds for facilitating tobacco control activities through the large scope of work covered by the UN system.

Methods: The Task Force works on enhancing multi-sectoral collaboration on the economic and social aspects of tobacco production and consumption. Since 2000, every two years the Secretary-General has been reporting to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at its Substantive Session on the activities of the Task Force.

Results: The Task Force helped advancing the work in different areas of tobacco control. For example, research on the supply of tobacco was led by the FAO. More recently, the SG's report in 2004 helped move forward an ECOSOC resolution recognizing that tobacco control can help alleviate poverty. The Task Force currently seeks to use the technical expertise of its members to facilitate the implementation of the WHO FCTC. It also aims to help the implementation of smoke free workplaces in the UN.