Conference Format

Overview

The World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) is the premier international conference on tobacco control. It is held once every 3 years, and it attracts thousands of academic and health professionals, non-governmental organisations and public officials from more than 100 countries.

The 16th WCTOH will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arabic Emirates from 17-21 March 2015 and aims to establish, engage and support local, regional and international partnerships through the conference programme activities and networking sessions.

The Conference theme “Tobacco and Non-Communicable Diseases” highlights the fact that tobacco use is a major health risk factor  causing millions of deaths every year and contributing to an enormous burden of NCDs all over the world. Through implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and MPOWER, much progress has been made since the WCTOH 2012 in Singapore, but many challenges remain.

The Conference scientific programme will include panel discussions, symposia, workshops and post-graduate courses on the many aspects of the tobacco epidemic and highlight all the efforts being made to control it through the WHO FCTC and MPOWER. Tracks on New Emerging Products and Challenges, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the Supply and Demand Side and the Globalisation of Tobacco Industry Interference will give all participants an opportunity to discuss the current situation and come up with proposals for how to accelerate tobacco control in all countries.

The 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) is a five-day live event with the following format:

DAY 1: Tue, 17 March 2015

Pre-Conference Activities

Sessions taking place on this first day are Pre-Conference Activities, not included in the Core Programme.

  • Workshops: Workshops are complimentary for registered conference delegates; persons wishing to take only a workshop will be charged the equivalent of a one-day registration. Since space is limited, pre-registration is required. Registration is open; please click here for workshop details.
  • Post-Graduate Courses: Two post-graduate courses (PGC) are being offered, which are complimentary for registered delegates. Persons not registered for the conference who wish only to attend a postgraduate course will be charged a fee equivalent to a one-day registration. Since space is limited, pre-registration is required. Registration is open; please click here for post-graduate course details.

DAYS 2-5: Wed, 18 March through Sat, 21 March 2015

Core Programme Sessions

The Update on the WHO FCTC and MPOWER, symposia, oral abstract presentation sessions, poster discussion sessions, plenary sessions, panel discussions and 'meet the expert' sessions, award ceremonies, side-meetings, official meetings and closing ceremony will be scheduled on these days. These sessions comprise the Core Programme.

Badge control: It will be compulsory to wear your conference badge to attend the sessions taking place on these Days 2-5 of the Conference. Delegates without badges will be denied access to the venue.

Scientific and Technical Exhibition

A scientific and technical exhibition held during the Conference will showcase a variety of companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), health organisations, government agencies, foundations, civil society organisations and publishers.