Global policy progress in Article 13 of World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) on Cigarettes (CIG) and Smokeless Tobacco (SLT)

Background Article 13 of the WHO FCTC provides guidelines for successful enforcement and implementation of effective measures against tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS). Evidence suggests that TAPS ban reduces tobacco use, especially among young people, while partial bans provide opportunities for tobacco companies to find new marketing ways. Current paper provides an insight on global progress on implementation of Article 13 for Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) products, and compares it with cigarettes (CIG). Methods The current paper has evaluated global progress in ban on direct and indirect advertisement, promotion and sponsorship on SLT products. Exposure to advertisement and promotion was also assessed. Results There is unequal implementation of provisions under Article 13 on CIG and SLT products (direct advertisement in…