Overview
- The independent FCTC expert report urges prohibiting the import and manufacture of cigarette filters, which are used in roughly 90% of cigarettes, citing negligible health benefit and environmental harm.
- The paper also recommends 15 further measures, including comprehensive advertising bans, sales restrictions by birth year, ending commercial retail, and prohibiting additives and flavors.
- The Conference of the Parties opens on 17 November, where the report will be discussed and taken into consideration rather than adopted as binding policy.
- WHO officials say they are not opposed to a filter ban but emphasize proven steps such as high tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws, cessation support, and strict marketing limits.
- The European Commission states it is not planning a filter ban, and any national action, such as in Germany, would proceed through ordinary legislative processes involving the federal government and parliament.