FAIFA Condemns Exclusion from WHO COP11 on Tobacco Control

Context:

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), which represents tobacco and other commercial crop farmers, has criticised the World Health Organisation (WHO) for excluding farmer groups from participating in the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), scheduled for November 17, 2025.

What is FAIFA?

FAIFA (Federation of All India Farmer Associations) is a national, non-profit organisation representing farmers engaged in regulated commercial crops such as:

• Tobacco
• Chilli
• Cotton
• Pepper
• Other remunerative crops

It advocates for farmers’ rights, fair market policies, export support, sustainable farming practices, and livelihood protection. FAIFA is particularly active in major commercial crop-growing states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.

Why FAIFA is Protesting

FAIFA’s request to participate in COP11 was rejected by the FCTC Secretariat on grounds that farmer interests are “not aligned” with FCTC objectives.
FAIFA says this is discriminatory because FCTC Articles 17 and 18 mandate:

• Protecting livelihoods of tobacco farmers
• Supporting economically viable alternative crops
• Considering socio-economic impacts before policy decisions

Tobacco Farming in India

• India ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters of tobacco, alongside Brazil, Zimbabwe, the U.S., and China.
• Livelihood Impact:
  Over 36 million people depend on the tobacco value chain, including cultivation, curing, trading, and processing.

Major tobacco-growing states:

• Andhra Pradesh
• Karnataka
• Telangana