LITHUANIA SIGNS PROTOCOL TO ELIMINATE ILLICIT TRADE IN TOBACO PRODUCTS
On September 6, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, signed the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, adopted at Seoul on 12 November 2012.
Pursuant to WHO, illicit trade in tobacco products is a global problem. It increases the accessibility and affordability of tobacco products thus undermining tobacco control policies and severely burdening health systems. In addition, illicit trade leads to significant revenue losses for governments. The elimination of all forms of illicit trade including smuggling and illegal manufacturing is therefore an essential component of tobacco control.
The Protocol sets the rules for combating illegal trade through control of the supply chain and international cooperation. As a key measure, Parties commit to establishing a global tracking and tracing system to reduce and eventually eradicate illicit trade.
Lithuania has become 23rd signatory to the Protocol. It will enter into force 90 days after the 40th Party has ratified it.
Photo: UN OLA Treaty Section
