Table 2.

Article 21: Reporting and Exchange of Information

1. Each Party shall submit to the Conference of the Parties, through the Secretariat, periodic reports on its implementation of this Convention, which should include the following:

(a) Information on legislative, executive, administrative, or other measures taken to implement the Convention;

(b) Information, as appropriate, on any constraints or barriers encountered in its implementation of the Convention, and on the measures taken to overcome these barriers;

(c) Information, as appropriate, on financial and technical assistance provided and received for tobacco control activities;

(d) Information on surveillance and research as specified in Article 20; and

(e) Information specified in Articles 6.3, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4(d), 15.5, and 19.2.

2. The frequency and format of such reports by all Parties shall be determined by the Conference of the Parties. Each Party shall make its initial report within 2 years of the entry into force of the Convention for that Party.

3. The Conference of the Parties, pursuant to Articles 22 and 26, shall consider arrangements to assist developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, as their request, in meeting their obligations under this Article.

4. The reporting and exchange of information under the Convention shall be subject to national law regarding confidentiality and privacy. The Parties shall protect, as mutually agreed, any confidential information that is exchanged.

Note. WHO (2003). Reproduced with permission from the World Health Organization.