This document is written primarily for the community of international development partners, as well as those in government and civil society concerned with urgent action to address the rapidly increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)...

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization.

The Strategy was developed through a wide-ranging series of consultations with all concerned stakeholders in response to a request from Member States at World Health Assembly 2002 (Resolution WHA55.23).

The harmful use of alcohol causes an estimated 2.5 million deaths every year, of which a significant proportion occur in the young. Alcohol use is the third leading risk factor for poor health globally.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are by far the leading cause of death in the world and their impact is steadily growing. In 2005, 35 million people died from NCDs which represents 60% of the total number of deaths in that year.

Respiratory conditions impose an enormous burden on society. According to the WHO World Health Report 2000, the top five respiratory diseases account for 17.4% of all deaths and 13.3% of all Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).