Alert on Philip Morris-funded Foundation name change to Global Action to End Smoking

By World Health Organization

WHO is alerting Member States and the public health community that the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, funded by tobacco company Philip Morris, and which WHO previously advised against partnering with in 2017, has changed its name to Global Action to End Smoking.

WHO maintains its firm position that it will not partner with this organization and strongly recommends that governments and the public health community do the same. Our concerns remain: Global Action to End Smoking operates using funds from Philip Morris International. Its activities support a broader tobacco industry strategy to mislead the public about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine product use. WHO is particularly concerned about potential efforts to target children and young people, creating a new generation of tobacco and nicotine users.

WHO urges governments and the public health community to remain vigilant and prioritize genuine, independent public health efforts to end tobacco and nicotine use.