In response to increasingly growing tobacco epidemic and in order to protect people from harmful consequences of tobacco use, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was developed, accepted, opened for signing and ratified by Finland in 2005. The Convention, as a legal instrument which is now ratified by 180 Parties, contains core measures to reduce demand for and supply of tobacco. The Convention Secretariat was established to support the Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention.

The Convention, among other things, reinforces international cooperation in scientific and legal fields. Provision of expertise, exchange of information and improving the monitoring mechanisms of tobacco use are important means of strengthening the capacity of the Parties to meet their obligations under the FCTC. 

To this end, the Convention Secretariat started establishing Knowledge Hubs to analyse, synthesize, and disseminate to the Parties of the Convention, knowledge and information relating to matters under their expertise in to the FCTC.

Each Knowledge Hub concentrates globally on some special area in the implementation of the FCTC. The functions of the Knowledge Hubs include: generation and sharing expertise, information and knowledge, provision of training in the specific focus areas of the Knowledge Hubs; promotion and facilitation of communication among Parties and other partners of the FCTC and support the Convention Secretariat in hosting meetings, and preparation of technical materials as well as participation in appropriate meetings.

At the moment the Knowledge Hubs have been established and operate in Uruguay, South Africa, Lebanon, Australia, Finland, India, and Republic of Korea.