Power of the Process: Evaluating the Impact of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Negotiations

Despite a number of papers on the FCTC negotiation process and final text, there have not been attempts to test the impact of the treaty process itself, a likely platform for increased communication and international learning. The present study quantifies the impact of the negotiation process on the global diffusion and adoption of tobacco control policies by countries around the world. Data from the 2006 Tobacco Atlas as well as demographic data for each WHO Member State were collected to evaluate the impact of state characteristics on the frequency, type and strength of tobacco control policies adopted. Country characteristics included income, population, region, democracy, tobacco production, smoking prevalence as well as negotiation session attendance and network participation. Results showed that frequency of policy adoption intensified during the FCTC negotiation period (X2=10.02, p=.002). Regression analyses found that wealthier (â=.303, p=.012) and Southeast Asian (â=.240, p=.017) countries were associated with having adopted stronger policies. Countries with higher network participation â=.324, p<.0001) were associated with more policies adopted. Wealthier countries (AOR=1.86, p=.029), Southeast Asian (AOR=25.40, p=.003) and European (AOR=33.91, p<.001) countries were more likely to adopt a policy during the negotiation period. Investments in formal international legal processes can be effective and appropriate. The FCTC negotiation process coincided with a rise in domestic policy adoption in the direction advocated by WHO. However, there remains the need to improve outreach and diffusion to lower-income countries in the area of tobacco control, and likely other areas of chronic disease control.