Page 140 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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Participation in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was formally established on February 17, 2005 and was the world’s first public health convention. By 2016, a total of 180 countries were ratified to become FCTC parties, making it the health convention with the largest number of parties. FCTC requires all parties to use relevant local legislation, actions, administrative rules, or other measures in addition to international cooperation to comply with the various provisions of the FCTC and stop tobacco hazards. Conference of Parties (COP) were held in different regions of the WHO. By the end of 2018, the FCTC had held a total of 8 COPs. 1COP 1: Geneva, Switzerland, February 6 to 17, 2006 2COP 2: Bangkok, Thailand, June 30 to July 6, 2007 3COP 3: Durban, South Africa, November 17 to 22, 2008 4COP 4: Punta del Este, Uruguay, November 15 to 20, 2010 5COP 5: Seoul, South Korea, November 12 to 17, 2012 6COP 6: Moscow, Russia, October 13 to 18, 2014 7COP 7: New Delhi, India, November 7 to 12, 2016 8COP 8: Geneva, Switzerland, October 1 to 6, 2018 After signing a membership application for the FCTC on March 30, 2005 by presidential decree, Taiwan referenced the spirit of the Convention to revise the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act in 2007 with the new revisions coming into force on January 11, 2009. Another set of revisions was passed on January 23 of the same year to raise the tobacco product health and welfare surcharges from NTD 10 per pack of cigarette to NTD 20 per pack. This revision also came into force on June 1 of the same year, demonstrating Taiwan’s determination in fulfilling the FCTC terms. Although Taiwan is not a FCTC signatory, international collaboration for tobacco control was encouraged to ensure that Taiwan’s public health and medical laws were constantly updated and aligned to international standards. Where necessary, various feasible measures were used to acquire and assess various FCTC protocols and standards. 138
