Aanhef

The Parties to this Protocol,

Considering that on 21 May 2003, the Fifty-sixth World Health Assembly adopted by consensus the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which came into force on 27 February 2005;

Recognizing that the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is one of the United Nations' most rapidly ratified treaties and a fundamental tool for attaining the objectives of the World Health Organization;

Recalling the Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization, which states that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition;

Determined also to give priority to their right to protect public health;

Deeply concerned that the illicit trade in tobacco products is contributing to the spread of the tobacco epidemic, which is a global problem with serious consequences for public health that calls for effective, appropriate and comprehensive domestic and international responses;

Recognizing further that illicit trade in tobacco products undermines price and tax measures designed to strengthen tobacco control and thereby increases the accessibility and affordability of tobacco products;

Seriously concerned by the adverse effects that the increase in accessibility and affordability of illicitly traded tobacco products has on public health and the well-being, in particular of young people, the poor and other vulnerable groups;

Seriously concerned about the disproportionate economic and social implications of illicit trade in tobacco products on developing countries and countries with economies in transition;

Aware of the need to develop scientific, technical and institutional capacity to plan and implement appropriate national, regional and international measures to eliminate all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products;

Acknowledging that access to resources and relevant technologies is of great importance for enhancing the ability, of Parties, particularly in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to eliminate all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products;

Acknowledging also that, although free zones are established to facilitate legal trade, they have been used to facilitate the globalization of illicit trade in tobacco products, both in relation to the illicit transit of smuggled products and in the manufacture of illicit tobacco products;

Recognizing also that illicit trade in tobacco products undermines the economies of Parties and adversely affects their stability and security

Also aware that illicit trade in tobacco products generates financial profits that are used to fund transnational criminal activity, which interferes with government objectives;

Recognizing that the illicit trade in tobacco products undermines health objectives, imposes additional strain on health systems and causes losses of revenue to the economies of the Parties;

Mindful of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in which Parties agree that in setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law;

Emphasizing the need to be alert to any efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine or subvert strategies to combat illicit trade in tobacco products and the need to be informed of activities of the tobacco industry that have a negative impact on strategies to combat illicit trade in tobacco products;

Mindful of Article 6.2 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which encourages Parties to prohibit or restrict, as appropriate, sales to and/or importation by international travellers of tax- and duty-free tobacco products;

Recognizing in addition that tobacco and tobacco products in international transit and transhipment find a channel for illicit trade;

Taking into account that effective action to prevent and combat illicit trade in tobacco products requires a comprehensive international approach to, and close cooperation on, all aspects of illicit trade, including, as appropriate, illicit trade in tobacco, tobacco products and manufacturing equipment;

Recalling and emphasizing the importance of other relevant international agreements such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the obligation that Parties to these Conventions have to apply, as appropriate, the relevant provisions of these Conventions to illicit trade in tobacco, tobacco products and manufacturing equipment and encouraging those Parties that have not yet become Parties to these agreements to consider doing so;

Recognizing the need to build enhanced cooperation between the Convention Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Customs Organization and other bodies, as appropriate;

Recalling Article 15 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, in which Parties recognize, inter alia, that the elimination of all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products, including smuggling and illicit manufacturing, is an essential component of tobacco control;

Considering that this Protocol does not seek to address issues concerning intellectual property rights; and

Convinced that supplementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by a comprehensive protocol will be a powerful, effective means to counter illicit trade in tobacco products and its grave consequences,

Hereby agree as follows: