This document was drafted by the Ministry of Healthcare.
The Russian Federation became party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2008. The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (hereinafter Protocol) was adopted at the 5th session of the FCTC Conference of the Parties, which took place in Seoul (South Korea) from 12 to 17 November 2012, and is currently open for signature.
The Protocol contains provisions that oblige the Parties to exercise control over tobacco product supply chains. A global monitoring system for supply chains is being established. The system will include national and/or regional systems and a global data exchange centre to help identify tobacco products, the source, production equipment and transport routes. The document also provides for international cooperation between law enforcement agencies, which will help curb illicit transport and trade of tobacco products including those produced illegally and sold with counterfeit excise identification and other special marks.
The directive to sign the protocol was drafted in accordance with the Federal Laws On the Protection of Citizens’ Health from the Impact of Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Consumption and On the International Treaties of the Russian Federation.
The directive is aimed at implementing FCTC provisions and stepping up the efficiency of tobacco control related measures.