The treaty known as the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, which was set in place by the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), is set to enter into force 25 September, Government World Magazine reported.

The Protocol, which has been ratified by 45 countries and the EU, was created to fight the increasing amount of illegal trade of tobacco products, Government World Magazine reported.
Vera da Costa e Silva, the Head of Secretariat of the WHO FCTC commented on the Protocol, saying, “With the entering into force of the Protocol, we have made yet another step in our global efforts in tobacco control.”
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasised why Fighting the illicit trade of tobacco products is so important. “The illicit trade of tobacco products creates a shadowy market that not only destroys health, but also fuels organised crime and deprives governments of tax revenues,” Ghebreyesus stated.
The Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (MOP1) to discuss the Protocol is set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland over a 3-day conference from 8 – 10 October 2018, according to the report.