What you should know about the illicit trade of Tobacco:

"Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced," Says Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Head of the Secretariat WHO FCTC

The WHO on 28 May 2015 released the statement that:

"Eliminating the illicit trade in tobacco would generate an annual tax windfall of US$ 31 billion for governments, improve public health, help cut crime and curb an important revenue source for the tobacco industry."

On the World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, WHO calls Member States to sign the "Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products".

Illicit tobacco products hook young people into tobacco experimentation and use because they are more affordable. Such illicit products also mislead young tobacco users by not displaying health warnings and sometimes involving children in illegal selling activities.

• Illicit trade takes tax revenue away from the Government, which could have otherwise been spent on the provision of public services, instead directing such funds into the hands of criminals.
• Illicit trade strengthens corruption and weakens good governance.
• Tobacco companies have been known to use loopholes in tobacco control governance systems and indulge in the illicit trade of tobacco products.

According to the WHO fact sheet:

The Illegal trade of tobacco products leads to major health, economic and security consequences globally. 

One out of ten cigarettes and tobacco products consumed globally are illegal. This illegal market is supported and promoted by different players and members of the underworld, ranging from petty peddlers to organized criminal networks involved in arms and human trafficking. 

Also, stopping the illicit trade of tobacco will lower the harmful consumption of tobacco by restricting the availability of cheap, unregulated alternatives and increasing overall tobacco prices. Critically, this will reduce premature deaths from tobacco use and raise tax revenue for governments. Stopping illicit trade in tobacco products is a health priority, and it is achievable.

WHO Calls to action: 

  

Policy makers

• must recognize the increase in the global tobacco epidemic caused by the illicit sales of Tobacco products as well as the related health consequences, and also the security implications through the financing of organized crime, drugs, human and arms trafficking, and terrorism.
• Ratification of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products is necessary to respond to the financial, legal and health impacts of the illicit trade of tobacco products.

 

•  The general public

• should recognize the adverse health, economic and social impacts of the illicit trade of tobacco products, including the linkages with human trafficking and organized drug crimes.
• may join the WNTD awareness-raising campaign, including through social media, to amplify messages and advice that governments and WHO will be issuing to curb the illicit trade of tobacco products.

            

• Members of the academia
  
  May undertake additional research on the illicit trade of Tobacco and its harmful impacts and benefits to health.
  And may also do more research on the roles that the Tobacco industry plays in aiding the illicit trading of Tobacco.
  
  We can all join the efforts to create a Tobacco free world!