Cabinet nod for accession to protocol on eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for acceding to the protocol under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on tobacco control to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.

The protocol is applicable to both smoking and chewing tobacco products or smokeless tobacco forms as negotiated and adopted under Article 15 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), an official statement said.

India is a party to WHO FCTC.

The protocol lays down obligations for the parties, including spelling out supply chain control measures that must be adopted, such as licensing of manufacture of tobacco products and machinery for their manufacturing, tracking and tracing regime, record keeping, security and measures to be taken by those engaged in e-commerce, manufacturing in free-trade zones and duty free sales.

The protocol lists out offences and enforcement measures such as seizures and disposal of seized products.

It calls for international cooperation in information sharing, maintaining confidentiality, training, technical assistance and cooperation in scientific and technical and technological matters.

"Elimination of illicit trade in tobacco products through strengthened regulation will help in strengthening comprehensive tobacco control, leading to reduction in tobacco use which in turn, will result in reduction in disease burden and mortality associated with tobacco use," the statement said.

Accession to such a treaty would provide actionable alternatives against such prevailing practices that are affecting public health at large.

India, being at the forefront of tobacco control, would be able to influence the international organisations, including the World Custom Organization, in controlling such illicit trade, the statement said.

The objective of FCTC is to provide a framework for supply and demand reduction measures for tobacco control at the national, regional and global levels.