Message of the regional director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2015, 31 May 2015

Every year on 31 May, we commemorate the World No Tobacco Day to highlight the dangers associated with tobacco production and use and exposure to tobacco smoke, and to advocate for effective policies to reduce the tobacco burden. Tobacco use remains the single most important preventable cause of death globally. It is estimated to be currently responsible for 10% of adult deaths worldwide and 3% in the African Region.

The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day is “Stop illicit trade of tobacco products”. It draws attention to the fact that one in every 10 cigarettes consumed worldwide is illegal, as are many other tobacco products. This makes illicit trade in tobacco products a major global concern from many perspectives, including health, legal, economic, governance and corruption.

Illicit trade in tobacco products has three major and interrelated components: smuggling and counterfeiting of tobacco products and evasion of local tax on tobacco items. Such products do not display health warnings as may be required by law and so mislead their users. They are easy to access and are more affordable, making it easier for people, particularly the young, to try using tobacco.

On-going efforts to address the problems posed by tobacco use have seen 18 countries in the African Region requiring marking on all packets of tobacco products to indicate their origin, and 13 countries instituting monitoring and collection of data on cross-border trade in tobacco products, even for illicit trade. Countries are also introducing more effective tracking and tracing systems to reduce the levels of illicit trade in tobacco products. While these are commendable steps, the continuing illicit trade in these products undermines health objectives, imposes an additional strain on health systems and causes loss of government revenue.

Recognizing the enormity of illicit trade in tobacco products, the international community came together to draw up the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products to provide guidance on the development of comprehensive strategies to address the problem. To date, only 14 countries in the African Region have signed the Protocol and just two have ratified it. Ratifying the Protocol is a key element in demonstrating commitment to tackling the problem of illicit trade in tobacco products.

I urge policy-makers to acknowledge the role of illicit trade in tobacco products not only in worsening the global tobacco use epidemic and its health consequences but also for its security implications, since proceeds from this trade might be used to finance organized crime such as trafficking of drugs, humans or arms. Members of the public should recognize the adverse health, economic and social impacts of illicit trade in tobacco products and support their governments to eliminate it.

Today, as we observe World No Tobacco Day 2015, I call upon Member States to ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and also to take concrete steps to implement its provisions. Doing so will help protect them from the financial, legal, social and health impacts that could be brought upon by illicit trade in tobacco products.

I also urge individuals, households and civil society organizations to join the World No Tobacco Day awareness-raising campaign, including using the social media to amplify messages and advice from governments and the World Health Organization.

Let us stop illicit trade in tobacco products to reduce tobacco use and ultimately decrease tobacco-related illnesses and premature deaths.

Thank you.