Tobacco currently kills more than eight million people per year worldwide, including 1.3 million people exposed to passive smoking, according to the WHO.
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A global meeting against the illicit tobacco trade concluded on Wednesday February 14 in Panama. The 70 countries present are committed to strengthening the traceability of illicit tobacco products, relying on technology and international cooperation. They also discussed controlling cigarette sales in free zones, but no decision was made on this.
A Russian company notably presented a digital system for tracking and tracing tobacco products which, according to its managers, makes it possible to fight against smuggling and tax evasion. Several representatives from Latin American and African countries attended the exhibition of this system which, according to the company, is used in Russia and five other countries.
Tobacco currently kills more than eight million people per year worldwide, including 1.3 million people exposed to passive smoking, according to the WHO. About 10% of the global cigarette market is illicit, but in some countries the figure exceeds 50%, according to estimates by the Pan American Health Organization. However, some NGOs believe that the tobacco industry exaggerates cigarette smuggling figures in order to pressure governments to reduce tobacco taxes.
