Cabinet approves accession to protocol under WHO framework convention to eliminate illicit tobacco trade

NEW DELHI: The union cabinet has given approval for India to accede to the protocol under World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.

This will be applicable to both smoking and chewing or smokeless tobacco (SLT) forms as negotiated and adopted under Article 15 of the WHO FCTC, of which India is a party.

One of the key tobacco supply reduction strategies contained in Article 15 envisages elimination of all forms of illicit trade and tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting.


"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 government stated in a release.

"Accession to such treaty will 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 organizations including World Custom Organization in controlling such illicit trade," it added.

The protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products is a "path breaking" initiative in strengthening global action against tobacco and is also a new legal instrument in public health, stated the release. It is a comprehensive tool to counter and eventually eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products and to strengthen legal dimensions for international health cooperation, it added.

The protocol lays down obligations of the parties and spells out supply chain control measures that must be adopted by them in relation to licensing of manufacture of tobacco products and machinery for manufacturing of tobacco products, due diligence to be kept by those engaged in production, tracking and tracing regime, record keeping and security. It also includes measures to be taken by those engaged in e-commerce, manufacturing in free-trade zones and duty free sales.

The protocol lists out offences, 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.

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.