WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Surveillance
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO. The WHO FCTC has 182 Parties covering more than 90% of the world population.
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) functions as WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Surveillance, and works to promote the implementation of Article 20 of the WHO FCTC.
Article 20: Research, surveillance and exchange of information
Purpose and tasks
The Knowledge Hub supports the Parties to the Convention in their implementation of the WHO FCTC in areas of tobacco surveillance and health-in-all-policies approach. In addition to tobacco surveillance, the areas of expertise at the established Knowledge Hubs include e.g. legal challenges, smokeless tobacco, water pipes, taxation, international cooperation (focused on time-bound measures and tobacco cessation).
The Knowledge Hubs analyze, synthesize and disseminate knowledge and information to the Parties to the Convention, and provide assistance to Parties in the implementation of the treaty.
THL's role
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has long experience in public health, including non-communicable disease control and prevention, and promotion of epidemiological surveillance and health-in-all-policies approach.
Finland renders strong and long-standing support to the implementation of the WHO FCTC. The Convention was ratified in Finland in 2005. The Knowledge Hub at THL became operational in 2015.
The Knowledge Hubs are global in the scope of their work, and their work goes beyond the boundaries of the hosting countries, sub-regions and regions. The Knowledge Hub at THL is one of the eight hubs that serve as collaborative partners to the Convention Secretariat. THL's hub is the only one in Europe, yet the tasks are global.
Further information
WHO FCTC Secretariat's Knowledge Hub on Surveillance Website
Countries that are Parties to the WHO FCTC and wish to receive assistance from the Knowledge Hubs should contact the Convention Secretariat: fctcsecretariat(at)who.int
Contact email of THL's WHO FCTC Secretariat's Knowledge Hub: fctcknowledgehub(at)thl.fi.
Hanna Ollila
Senior specialist
Finnish institute for Health and Welfare
tel: +358 29 524 8617
[email protected]
