WHO - 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products..

March 8, 2010 -

WHO FCTC Conference March 2010 - protocol on illicit trade in tobacco products..

We are all counting on World Health Organization (WHO) to provide solution to control the booming worldwide cigarette smuggling problem. Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, March 14-21, 2010. The representatives of governments will meet to discussed and sign off on the draft protocol that expected to boost the war on illicit trade in tobacco products. If signed by governments attending the meeting, the protocol is expected to become an international convention to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products across the globe. (WHO FCTC Conference March 2010 - protocol on illicit trade in tobacco products.)

Cigarettes are the world’s most widely smuggled legal consumer product. In 2006, contraband cigarettes accounted for 11 percent of global cigarette sales, or about 600 billion cigarettes. For years, the tobacco industry claimed that high cigarette taxes encouraged smuggling from low tax jurisdictions. However, documents uncovered during recent lawsuits confirm that the tobacco industry itself is responsible or involved in many large-scale cigarette smuggling operations worldwide. (Tobacco Atlas - Illegal Cigarettes..)

A couple more related news briefs: EU - fighting against cigarette smuggling but a WHO solution may be in site..; EU - mobilizing for a crackdown on cigarette smuggling with emphasis on Poland..