WHO study group on tobacco product regulation: report on the scientific basis of tobacco product regulation: tenth report of a WHO study group

Overview

This report of the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation provides the Director-General with evidence-based recommendations for Member States about tobacco product regulation. The outcomes and recommendations address provide a basis for strengthening product regulation. The study group reviewed eight background papers, specially commissioned for its twelfth meeting, which addressed the following topics:

1. Regulation of tobacco and related products. Priorities for the protection of children and young people (section 2)
2. Flavours in tobacco and nicotine products: new developments, implications and regulation (section 3)
3. Science of sugars in tobacco and nicotine products and regulatory recommendations, an update (section 4)
4. Cigarette filters: implications for smoking behaviour, health effects and the environment (section 5)
5. Evolving design, additives and accessories for cigarettes and effects on addictiveness, attractiveness and toxicity (section 6)
6. Aldehydes and metals in e-liquids as potential targets for regulation (section 7)
7. Smokeless tobacco: a complex landscape, product regulation and considerations for the future (section 8)
8. Tobacco and nicotine product characteristics and relevant standards (section 9)
   

The recommendations on each of the topics considered in the report are set out at the end of the relevant section and the overall recommendations of the Study Group are summarized in the final section of the report. These recommendations seek to promote international coordination of regulatory efforts, the adoption of best practices in product regulation and strengthen product regulation capacity-building across all WHO regions.