THE World Health Organization (WHO) supports the ratification of the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.
These were the sentiments shared by WHO technical officer non-communicable disease (NCD) Dr Ada Moadsiri while speaking at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and WHO’s joint submission on the protocol to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in Suva today.
Dr Moadsiri said Fiji would benefit greatly from the ratification.
“If Fiji becomes one of the first 40 parties to the protocol, it would be part of the first meeting of the Parties (MOP), which has decision-making powers as the governing body of the protocol,” Dr Moadsiri said.
“Ratifying the protocol will further strengthen Fiji’s ability to prevent illicit trade of tobacco products.”
She said the World Customs Organisation estimated that globally, one in every 10 cigarettes may be illicit.
