Hi TIS Teams! Some big changes are coming to tobacco products in Australia from 1 July 2025. Tobacco products sold here will not only look different, but also taste different, feel different, be named differently, and only be sold in specific sizes and packaging. These changes are designed to make smoking less appealing and help more people quit. These national changes are part of Australia’s commitment to a landmark global public health agreement  – the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on  Tobacco Control (FCTC).

For this month’s evidence update, I’m highlighting a global review by Peruga et al. (2021), which looks at the progress and challenges of global tobacco control policies since the launch of the WHO FCTC. While many countries – including Australia – have made significant progress in tobacco control, this review highlights how inconsistent policy implementation and ongoing interference from the tobacco industry continue to hinder further advancements. It serves as a timely reminder of the need for strong, sustained, and coordinated action to protect public health.

Take Home Message for TIS Teams

TIS teams play a vital role in advancing Australia’s tobacco control efforts. While global frameworks such as the WHO FCTC provide an important foundation, it is the local knowledge, trusted community relationships, and culturally safe health promotion delivered by TIS teams that give these policies real impact. Through strong partnerships, sharing stories, and promoting smoke- and vape-free environments, TIS teams help to strengthen the broader tobacco control system in Australia and ensure that efforts remain relevant, responsive, and community-led for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Click on the thumbnail to the right to read Connie’s full update.

For more of Connie the Clever Cockie’s updates, visit the Tobacco Control News page.