28 November 2016- The Philippines, as one of the 180 parties to the WHO FCTC, participated in the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, held on 7-12 November 2016 at India Expo Centre in Noida, Uttarpradesh, India. The Philippine delegation,composed of 28 members from various agencies, was headed by H.E. Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala, Chairperson, Civil Service Commission (CSC) and H.E. Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Undersecretary, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization. It was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.

Representatives of 136 Parties to the Convention took part in the conference. COP7 delivered several significant decisions that will shape the international treaty in the future. One of these decisions was to encourage Parties not growing tobacco not to start. It also urged Parties to adopt a whole-of-government approach and participation with stakeholders to promote alternatives to tobacco growing and avoid tobacco industry obstruction in programmes meant for welfare and diversification of tobacco growing, supporting workers and protection of the environment, as appropriate in the national context.