Illegal trade treaty welcomed

EU Commission vice-president Kristalina Georgieva has welcomed last week’s decision by the European Parliament that paves the way for the EU’s ratification of the first international treaty on fighting the illegal trade in tobacco.

The ‘Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products’ was conceived by the parties to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

A Commission note described the parliamentary vote as overwhelmingly positive.

“I welcome the green light of the European Parliament for the ratification of the first international treaty on fighting tobacco smuggling,” said Georgieva.

“Illicit trade in tobacco is a global problem which undermines public health and public budgets.

“It must be tackled through co-ordinated action across borders, and the FCTC Protocol will be a key tool in this effort.”

The EU signed the FCTC Protocol on 20 December 2013.