Philip Morris International said today it was publishing a position paper supporting an international protocol aimed at eliminating the illegal trade in tobacco products.
The first Meeting of the Parties (MOP1) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, which is a protocol of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, is taking place in Geneva this week.
‘With approximately one out of 10 cigarettes smoked globally stemming from illicit trade, Parties to the Protocol should take a collaborative approach to tackling the problem of illicit trade,’ PMI said in a note posted on its website. ‘Available on PMI’s website, the position paper proposes effective strategies for tackling the illicit tobacco trade, aligned with key provisions of the Protocol.’
Meanwhile, Alvise Giustiniani, vice president of illicit trade prevention at PMI, was quoted as saying the Protocol was a significant and crucial global tool to tackle the serious issue of the “illicit tobacco trade”. “We strongly support the objectives and principles of the Protocol, as well as the Meeting of the Parties which is an important step in tackling the multi-faceted and highly complex problem of illicit tobacco trade,” he said
‘The Protocol brings together countries against the scourge of illicit tobacco trade, and it will have a key role to play in helping to defeat the illegal tobacco market,’ the position paper says. ‘Collaboration will be a key element of its success: national governments, international organizations and civil society working to fight illicit tobacco trade together.’
PMI said that, in its view, effective strategies for tackling the ‘illicit tobacco trade’ must be articulated across the following six pillars:
- ‘Product tracking and tracing based on open and recognized international standards
- ‘Effective control and monitoring of Free Trade Zones
- ‘Enhanced international co-operation
- ‘Application of deterrent sanctions to illicit traders
- ‘Licensing regimes that focus on tackling illicit trade
- ‘Meaningful due diligence and record-keeping requirements.’
PMI has a dedicated website StopIllegal https://www.stopillegal.com/