The WHO Collaborating Centre for Tobacco Product Regulation and Control is an active participant in the Global Tobacco Regulators Forum. It is also one of the leading labs within the WHO Tobacco Laboratory Network (TobLabNet).
Nicotine is addictive and tobacco smoke contains more than 6,000 different chemical substances, of which many are toxic or carcinogenic. In the Netherlands, nearly 20,000 people die each year from the effects of smoking and on average, smokers live 5 to 10 years shorter than non-smokers. The (long-term) health effects of the use of other tobacco and nicotine products like heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, are not fully known yet. Our research on the effects of tobacco and nicotine products aims on reducing harmful effects on public health caused by the use of these products by reducing their attractive, addictive and toxic properties.
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
The Netherlands and the European Union have joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC aims to reduce tobacco use and has more than 180 parties worldwide. At RIVM we contribute to the science base needed to propose guidelines for the implementation of article 9 and 10. Article 9 of the FCTC deals with the composition of tobacco products, including the additives. According to Article 10 of the FCTC, tobacco manufacturers must disclose this composition to the governments of the countries where they market their products.
Coordination
WHO CC for Tobacco Product Regulation and Control is led by Dr (Doctor) Reinskje Talhout, top expert Tobacco at RIVM Centre for Health Protection.
WHO Collaborating Centres hosted by RIVM
- Overview WHO Collaborating Centres
- WHO CC for Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology and Surveillance
- WHO CC on Chemical Food Safety
- WHO CC for Family of International Classifications
- WHO CC for Infectious Disease Preparedness and IHR monitoring and evaluation
- WHO CC for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk
- WHO CC on Life Course and Health
- WHO CC for Nutrition
- WHO CC for Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water
- WHO CC for Smallpox Vaccine
- WHO CC for Tobacco Product Regulation and Control
