WHO response to WTO member state challenges on tobacco, food and beverage policies

In 2013, the World Health Assembly endorsed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013–2020 to achieve a 25% reduction in mortality from noncommunicable diseases by 2025.1 Two years later, all of the world’s governments committed to reducing the global burden of noncommunicable diseases as part of the sustainable development goals. The rationale for these commitments is clear: in 2016, noncommunicable diseases caused almost threequarters of all deaths worldwide and this burden has significant economic costs.2 The World Economic Forum estimates that, without concerted action, cumulative economic losses from noncommunicable diseases will exceed 7 trillion United States dollars over the period 2011–2025 in low- and middleincome countries.3 WHO’s Global Action Plan is ambitious, as it aims to achieve a world free of the avoidable burden of noncommunicable diseases.1 The plan recognizes that this aim can only be achieved through determined action by Member States and international partners. The contribution of WHO is its ability to convene, set norms and standards, and offer technical support. For example, WHO has developed cost–effective interventions for preventing noncommunicable diseases that include labelling regulations for salt, fat and sugar, for soft drinks, for tobacco and for alcoholic beverages.