WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Learnings

W e are pleased that the World Health Organiza- tion (WHO) is developing a pandemic treaty to improve the global response to future pandemics.In their article, De Luca and Ramirez 1 rightly argue that a pandemic treaty should be informed by experiences with WHO's existing treaty, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which came into force in 2005.However, the authors have mischaracterized the WHO FCTC and made criticisms that could hinder a productive discussion about a treaty for pandemics.The authors identify a limited emphasis on ''harm reduction'' as a key limitation of the WHO FCTC.However, the treaty itself includes ''harm reduction strategies'' in its definition of tobacco control. 2 As the authors indicate, harm reduction encompasses actions ''aimed at reducing the negative effects of health behaviors without necessarily extinguishing the problematic health behaviors completely or permanently.'' 1,3The WHO FCTC and its guidelines for implementation-which include requiring smoke-free public places; banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and