Summary

Multi-sectorial workshop for Parties to the WHO FCTC in Asia to promote ratification of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products 9-11 December, 2014, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar 

A Multi-sectorial workshop to promote ratification of the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from 9-11 December, 2014. His Excellency, the Union Minister of Health of Myanmar opened the meeting stating how illicit trade elimination together with other tobacco control measures, such as raising tobacco taxes and pictorial health warnings, are important in tobacco control. 

The workshop was organized by the WHO FCTC secretariat, funded by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and hosted by the Ministry of Health, Myanmar. Nine parties to the WHO FCTC participated: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Experts from WHO, OLAF, Kenya Ministry of Finance, World Customs Organization, World Bank, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), the Union, and People’s Health Foundation (Myanmar) also participated and contributed to the meeting. 

Different articles of the protocol such as controlling the supply chain (due diligence, tracking and tracing, record keeping), offenses and sanctions, and international cooperation were discussed extensively. Global and regional experiences, including challenges and success stories, were also shared during the three-day workshop. Different articles of the protocol such as controlling the supply chain, tracking and tracing, offenses and sanctions, and international cooperation were also discussed extensively. Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo from SEATCA shared the global experience on litigation against the tobacco industry for involvement in smuggling of tobacco products.