Tobacco use is one of the single most preventable causes of death in the world. Given that people living with low-incomes are more likely to use tobacco, and can afford it the least, tobacco use can also greatly worsen poverty. Tobacco cultivation and use also harm the environment and contribute to climate change.

Tobacco use is the one risk factor common to four major non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cancers, cardiovascular and lung disease, and diabetes. The other major risk factors for these devastating diseases are: physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and misuse of alcohol.

NCDs are far from ‘diseases of the rich’: in many the Global South, the risk of dying from any of the major NCDs between the ages of 30 and 70 is double or even triple that in a typical rich country.

Fortunately, international research and experience has shown the most effective way to curb tobacco use: implementing the measures in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Its measures include raising taxes, implementing and enforcing 100% indoor smoke-free spaces, health warnings related to tobacco use, bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and helping smokers to quit. Full implementation of the FCTC will result in healthier populations and environments, and will help to eliminate poverty.

Our strategy is to support and promote policy-based solutions for reducing all NCD risk factors. We support long-term programs to build networks, conduct research, produce evidence, and advocate for change. Activities include research and education on the ways that tobacco and NCDs can worsen poverty and the impact of implementation of best practices on health and the economy; supporting partners and communities to implement best practice interventions; monitoring and exposing tobacco and alcohol industry interference tactics, and producing materials on tobacco control and NCD prevention, including transferring lessons learned from tobacco control to NCD prevention.