The global burden of cancer will increase in developing countries in the coming years as the increase in smoking shifts more to the low income countries. In the past decades the transnational tobacco companies have used a “divide and conquer” strategy to increase tobacco sales and simultaneously counter and undermine government efforts in tobacco control. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), now ratified by 179 countries, has addressed that and provide an effective international evidence based tool. The FCTC encourages Parties to go beyond those measures required by the Convention thereby enabling countries to seek best practice in their tobacco control efforts. While still a relatively young Convention, it has enabled countries to fast track tobacco control and addresses both demand and supply measures. Effective measures such as plain packaging of cigarettes and tax increase on tobacco products have now been framed as anti-cancer measures in Australia and the Philippines respectively. The FCTC is unique in that it focuses on the tobacco industry as the cause of tobacco related diseases, hence provides measures in regulating the industry strictly. Special provision on protecting public health measures from the commercial and vested interest of the tobacco industry, FCTC Article 5.3, illustrates the importance of going beyond traditional cancer prevention activities. The FCTC emphasises a multi-sectoral approach which provides the platform for specialised health professionals to take on an active advocacy role in developing and advancing cancer control both nationally as well as internationally. Tobacco is a unique product and the industry is aggressive in expanding its market. This warrants a comprehensive approach in regulating the industry on all fronts.