The Government of Egypt has taken important steps on its way to becoming a Party to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
At a national meeting in Cairo, 25th July, representatives of the different government sectors involved in the ratification and future implementation of the Protocol discussed technical issues that could impact the roll out of new controls.
Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Head of the Convention Secretariat said, “This is a good example of how to plan for the Protocol in a multi-sector manner. The Egyptian initiative really does give a wide range of relevant government agencies and ministries a chance to sit together and look at the application of the Protocol from all sides.”
The meeting, held at the WHO Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region in Cairo, convened a meeting with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Foreign Trade, the Customs Authority, the Organization for Standardization and Quality, the Chemistry Administration, the General Organization for Export and Import Control and the Industrial Development Authority.
While the WHO Regional Office facilitated the meeting, it was down to the Convention Secretariat, WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to provide technical advice for the participants.
A member of the Panel of Experts on the Protocol provided advice on the feasibility of establishing a national tracking and tracing system, as required under the Protocol. Other key matters discussed included how multisectoral collaboration can be achieved throughout the preparation for Protocol ratification and future implementation. The delegates also considered details linked to implementation of measures surrounding the control of the supply chain of tobacco products and international cooperation under the Protocol.
Dr da Costa e Silva said, “It is good to see Egypt lead the way in thinking through how to address the illicit tobacco trade and preparing to become a Party to the Protocol. It certainly is leading the way by providing an example for other countries to follow.”