Fighting the illicit trade in tobacco products requires a joint global effort: EU calls on international partners to sign anti-smuggling UN treaty

On the 18 July 2016, the European Union called on other countries to sign the World Health Organisation Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (“FCTC Protocol”). The European Union had ratified the FCTC Protocol on the 24 June 2016, following the European Commission proposal, but the Protocol requires at least 40 ratifications to enter into force.

The illicit tobacco trade threatens health by providing products that do not comply with EU rules and drains public budgets. Because of that, the European Commission had adopted a comprehensive package to step up its fight against illicit tobacco trade, especially cigarette smuggling, on the 6 June 2013.

EurActiv, 03.10.16: ‘Cheap whites’: The new trend dominating tobacco black markets http://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/mondaycheap-whites-the-new-trend-dominating-tobacco-black-markets/

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