Two decades of the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the European Union: progress, challenges and the road ahead

Overview

This report marks twenty years since the European Union (EU) signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and reflects on the EU’s continued leadership in global tobacco control. Building on its legal mandate to protect human health, the EU has established a comprehensive tobacco control framework aligned with the WHO FCTC. Despite important achievements, tobacco use remains a major public health concern across the EU, contributing significantly to the burden of noncommunicable diseases. Prevalence rates remain high and vary widely across countries. Furthermore, new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products are gaining popularity particularly among youth, and pose a threat to the progress achieved in tobacco control. This publication provides an overview of the current state of tobacco control in the EU, outlining trends in prevalence, key legislative milestones, implementation of the MPOWER package, and EU-supported collaboration and research. It also examines persistent challenges, including partial implementation of WHO FCTC measures, industry interference and regulatory gaps related to emerging products. It is intended to inform and support policy-makers, public health professionals and civil society actors working to advance effective, evidence-based tobacco control policies across the EU and the WHO European Region as a whole.