Illicit trade in tobacco products continues to undermine tobacco control measures, posing a threat to global public health, security and government revenues. In response to this pressing concern, Parties adopted the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
As we mark the fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Protocol, its governing body - the Meeting of the Parties - will convene in Panama City this November for its third session, where cross-border strategies to counter illicit trade will be reviewed and strengthened. Additionally, a global information-sharing focal point is set to be launched to assist Parties in monitoring and controlling the movement of tobacco products to prevent diversion into illicit channels.
The financial losses incurred by governments due to Illicit trade are substantial, as customs duties and excise taxes on tobacco products are not collected. Recent estimates indicate that the elimination of trade in illicit cigarettes could potentially yield annual global revenues of about US$ 47.4 billion.
Illicit trade increases the accessibility and affordability of tobacco products, thus fueling the tobacco epidemic and undermining tobacco control policies. The most vulnerable groups, including low-income populations and young people, are disproportionately affected by increased access to often cheaper tobacco products. If illicit trade were eliminated globally, it is estimated that a million premature deaths could be avoided every six years, thanks to higher average cigarette prices and reduced consumption.
The United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) supports the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC in their work to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco. Sameer Chauhan, Director at the UNICC says, “Our collaborative efforts have led to the development of a fit-for-purpose platform that facilities a secure information exchange between Parties to the Protocol, allowing Parties to fulfil a key requirement of the Treaty.” Both teams are working to further demonstrate how innovative digital tools can be used to strengthen international cooperation.
The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products represents a global solution to a global problem. The international treaty, the first of its kind, aims to eliminate all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products through a comprehensive package of measures to be implemented by countries in cooperation with each other. The Protocol builds upon and complements Article 15 of the WHO FCTC, which requires Parties to implement measures to counter illicit trade in tobacco products, such as supply chain control measures and cooperation in law enforcement and prosecution.
Article 4 of the Protocol is based on the provisions of Article 5 of the WHO FCTC, including Article 5.3 on the need for Parties to protect tobacco control policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry. Moreover, it explicitly calls for Parties to ensure maximum possible transparency with respect to any interactions with the tobacco industry; and Article 8.12 regarding tracking and tracing systems states that obligations assigned to a Party shall not be performed by or delegated to the tobacco industry.
Negotiated over several years, the Protocol entered into force on 25 September 2018, and currently 67 Parties are committed to its implementation. It not only assists Parties in protecting the achievements under WHO FCTC, but also addresses key issues such as transnational organized crime, corruption, money laundering, national security, losses in government revenues, poverty, and tobacco-related diseases.
The Protocol aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Goal 16, which aims to promote peace, justice and strong institutions. Illicit trade, often associated with organized crime, poses a significant challenge to achieving that Goal. By combatting illicit trade in tobacco products, the Protocol contributes to better governance, strengthened enforcement capacities and international cooperation in the fight against organized crime.
Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol celebrates this occasion adding the following message: “today we celebrate 5 years of the entry into force of the Protocol, which is still a young treaty. There is work to be done to achieve the cross-border implementation required to meet its objective. I encourage Parties to ratify the Protocol and look forward to continuing our efforts to successfully implement this vital link to a healthy, tobacco-free future.’’
NOTE TO EDITOR: The Third Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP3) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products will take place this year in Panama City, Panama from 27–30 November 2023. Accredited journalists are permitted to observe the event, which is a meeting of the governing body of the international treaty. Information on accreditation is available here.