FCA Policy Briefing for COP6: The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products

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Key Recommendations:

Parties are urged to have a frank discussion of the reasons for the relatively low number of signatories to the ITP, as well as the slow pace of ITP ratifications/accessions to date. Possible reasons could include, amongst others:

The multi-sectoral nature of the Protocol, leading to slow ratification processes;
Lack of financial resources for promotion of the Protocol;
Failure to clarify sources and types of technical assistance for ITP implementation;
Lack of clarity on technical aspects of the Protocol;
Concerns about the financial implications of the Protocol.

Taking into account the results of the discussion, Parties should give the Secretariat a clear mandate:

To organise awareness-raising activities;
To commission further research on technical aspects of the Protocol;
To strengthen co-operative arrangements with relevant international organisations;
To raise funds for more concerted preparation of ITP entry into force and implementation;
To counter tobacco industry claims on how to implement the Protocol, and in particular its promotion of the Codentify system.