The Role of the WHO FCTC in COVID-19 Responses

Tobacco use carries risk of COVID-19 transmission and leads to worse health outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Life-saving tobacco control measures that urge smokers to quit, as well as the WHO FCTC, would not only address the tobacco epidemic, but also reduce the burden COVID has imposed on health care systems. However, the tobacco industry has managed to project itself as a “solution” during the pandemic and effectively downplayed the risks tobacco products pose in relation to COVID-19.

This brief provides recommendations on how governments can maximize public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.