Pacific Island: Tobacco Smuggling

Source from:  The Fiji Times Online 11/19/2015

HE Pacific region can be prone to illegal trade of tobacco by overseas-based smugglers, says Dr Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, the head of the World Health Organization's Framework on the Convention of Tobacco Control Secretariat.

Speaking to this newspaper during a workshop in Nadi yesterday, she said the threat of illegal trade was real but there were measures in place to address the illicit trade of tobacco products.

"There are many islands that report an increase in consumption of products that come from illicit trade and this is something that is promoted by international and multinational tobacco companies," she said.

"These smugglers, who often have no nationality, just go after profits and try to sell their products by avoiding, taxes and also impacting on the revenues from Governments. This impacts the health and wealth of small island states."

According to Dr Silva, Pacific Island states could also become parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade.

Tobacco products, she added, need to be regulated in such a way that it would not be promoted to children and decrease accessibility and affordability for the younger generation.

"Illicit trade tobacco products are usually less expensive so they are a very good way for vulnerable populations to become addicted or part of the group of consumers of tobacco products.

"Small Island countries need to bring their Customs' organisations to work on that and to support them on the ratification and implementation process of the measures that are under the protocol to eliminate illicit trade."

Meanwhile, Fiji's Tobacco Control Enforcement Unit acting manager Nafiz Ali said they had signed the Illicit Trade Protocol.

"So far, 11 countries have signed and ratified and we are looking to be the 12th country to ratify this," he said.

He said the most common context of illegal sales in Fiji was the sale of single rolls.

"Other illicit trade can be one coming in through ports of entries but we have noticed that border security officials are very vigilant and they are very strict.

"We have not had any major bulk shipments of illegal cigarettes coming in but if there had been it would most likely be confiscated."

He said point of entries such as airports and ports were pretty secure. Enditem