The trade in tobacco products is long recognised for its links to the criminal underground and illicit goods.Notwithstanding the efforts of health bodies, it seems that the ‘habit’ is on the increase, and so too is the trade in illicit tobacco products. Enforcement officers will find the Draft protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products of interest to their profession.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the world’s first global public health treaty. It is also the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO). The treaty entered into force in February 2005. It was signed by 168 of the 192 WHO member states and more than 170 WHO member states have become parties to the convention. List of signatories and parties to the WHO FCTC.

The FCTC provides an internationally co-ordinated response to combating the tobacco epidemic, and sets out specific steps for governments addressing tobacco use, including to:
•    Adopt tax and price measures to reduce tobacco consumption;
•    Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship;
•    Create smoke-free work and public spaces;
•    Put prominent health warnings on tobacco packages;
•    Combat illicit trade in tobacco products.