Overview
- Delegates from 183 parties convened for COP11 in Geneva to consider 16 expert recommendations that governments may adopt individually.
- Key proposals call for banning the manufacture and import of cigarette filters and prohibiting flavorings in tobacco and nicotine products.
- WHO underscores the environmental burden of cellulose acetate filters, citing roughly 4.5 trillion discarded cigarette butts each year and no proven health benefit from filters.
- Health officials highlight rising adolescent vaping, estimating at least 15 million users aged 13–15 worldwide and pointing to candy-like flavors that appeal to children.
- The European Commission denies plans for an EU-wide filter ban as WHO warns against industry influence in national delegations and presses for stronger taxation and plain packaging.