The World Health Organisation, citing treaty obligations not to work with tobacco companies, asked countries to boycott the newly established Foundation for a Smoke-Free World because it is backed by a cigarette maker.

Philip Morris International currently is the sole funder of the New York-based foundation headed by Derek Yach, one of the authors of WHO’s Framework Treaty on Tobacco Control. The cigarette maker has pledged nearly USD 1 billion (EUR 850 million) over the next 12 years.
“There are many unanswered questions about tobacco harm reduction, but the research needed to answer these questions should not be funded by tobacco companies,” WHO said. “Governments should not partner with the foundation and the public health community should follow this lead.”