Campaigners are accusing the World Health Organization (WHO) of ‘hypocrisy’ for making illegal trade a theme of World No Tobacco Day (May 31).
According to WHO, one in every ten cigarettes and many tobacco products consumed worldwide are illicit.
WHO wants governments to ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and has called on the public, academia and other sectors to take action to make their countries parties to the protocol.
“There’s a simple reason why illicit trade is such a problem,” said Simon Clark, director of the consumer group Forest. “Tobacco control campaigners repeatedly demand massive hikes in tobacco duty. This not only boosts the illegal tobacco trade, it drives elderly and low-paid smokers into poverty.
“Let’s end this hypocrisy now. What we need are sensible, pragmatic policies that don’t discriminate against law-abiding consumers who buy their tobacco from legitimate retailers.”
Forest denounced also standardized packaging and the EU ban on menthol cigarettes.
“Prohibition doesn’t work,” said Clark. “Criminal gangs will be only too happy to meet demand for flavoured cigarettes. As for plain packaging, that’s going to be a godsend for black marketeers.
“Instead of berating others for the growth of illicit trade, the tobacco control industry should look closer to home.”
