About 14th WCTOH 2009

The World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) is slated to take place in Mumbai at NCPA from March 8th to 12th, 2009. The theme of the conference is 'Tobacco Control: The Way Forward; Multisectoral Approach to Tobacco Control Policies, Pathways, Partners and People.'

Since it will be a gathering of different tobacco control advocates, educators, policymakers, regulators, civil society members, renowned scientists and scholars from around the world, WCTOH gives an ideal opportunity to interact and advance initiatives related to tobacco control and consequent improvement of health.

At present, India faces daunting challenges, since

• It is the second largest producer and consumer of tobacco. (More than 240 million adult tobacco users and an alarming uptake among children. With another child in India initiating tobacco use every 2 seconds)


• It has the widest spectrum of tobacco products in the market, and its yearly tobacco death toll is now at 700,000 and rising. In the forefront of the epidemic is China, the largest producer and consumer of tobacco.

WCTOH is being held in a developing nation after 12 years, and incidentally there are also many countries in Asia that need high priority action in tobacco control. So the conference will not only provide a global perspective on tobacco control issues, but also accelerate efforts in tobacco control.

Over 2500 delegates from more than 100 countries are expected to attend. On the agenda is panel discussions, exhibitions, pre-conference programs and workshops.

Host organizations:
Salaam Bombay Foundation
Healis - Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health
Action Council against Tobacco-India

Supported by:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare –Government of India
Government of Maharashtra

You can find more information on the conference's official site - 14th WCTOH in Mumbai