The twelfth meeting of the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation

10 – 13 December 2024
Barcelona, Spain

The twelfth meeting of the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg) provided a forum for scientists to deliberate on and update knowledge on pertinent issues related to the regulation of tobacco, nicotine and related products. The meeting focused specifically on emerging issues, such as the role of additives in increasing the appeal of tobacco, nicotine and related products; tobacco product regulation in protecting children and young people; as well as updates on cigarettes, smokeless and waterpipe tobacco science, regulation, and future considerations. Topics discussed were based on requests from Member States to WHO to provide authoritative guidance on tobacco product regulation, as well as requests from the Conference of Parties (COP) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) at various sessions. The following background papers informed the meeting:

  1. Tobacco and Related Product Regulation – Priorities for the Protection of Children and Young People
  2. Flavours in Tobacco Products: New Developments, Implications and Regulation
  3. Sugars in Tobacco Products: Science, Characteristics and Implications for Regulation
  4. Cigarette: Filters and other Characteristics with a Potential Impact on Health
  5. Cigarettes: Emerging Trends, including Design Features and Considerations
  6. Aldehydes and Heavy Metals in E-liquids and Implications for Toxicity
  7. Waterpipe tobacco: Characteristics, Toxicity and Regulation
  8. Smokeless Tobacco: Evolving Landscape, Regulation and Future Considerations
  9. Product Standards: Overview, Toxicity, Addictiveness, Appeal and Implementation

The working group meeting was attended by WHO TobReg members, WHO staff, the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC and invited experts. The resulting TobReg recommendations were compiled, summarized and presented to the WHO Executive Board at its 157th session. The recommendations will guide Member States in achieving the most effective and evidence-based means to bridge regulatory gaps in tobacco control, develop coordinated regulatory framework for tobacco products, guide international policy and provide access to scientific information.

The Twelfth meeting of TobReg took place in Barcelona, Spain from 10 - 13 December 2024 and was generously hosted by the WHO Collaborative Centre for Tobacco Control, Tobacco Control Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain and organized by the WHO.