Overview
The WHO Tobacco Laboratory Network (TobLabNet) is a global network of government, academic, and independent laboratories aiming to strengthen national and regional capacity for the testing and research of the contents and emissions of tobacco products.
In accordance with Article 9 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), TobLabNet's goal is to:
- establish global tobacco testing and research capacity to test tobacco products for regulatory compliance
- research and develop harmonized standards for contents and emissions testing
- share tobacco research and testing standards and results
- inform risk assessment activities related to the use of tobacco products
- develop harmonized reporting of such results
In the Decision of the Conference of Parties (COP), the WHO Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) was requested to "continue the validation of the analytical chemical methods for testing and measuring cigarette contents and emissions in accordance with the progress report (document FCTC/COP/3/6) and to inform the Conference of Parties through the Convention Secretariat on a regular basis of the progress made".
TobLabNet`s work has now progressed towards Phase 2 of the TFI's technical support to Article 9 and 10 of the WHO FCTC.
The first two validation methods have been concluded and five more validations are yet to be completed. The agenda to this meeting focused on completion of the seven validation methods required by COP. In addition to the meeting, a half–day laboratory training took place.