Duty free sales targeted on opening day of WHO negotiations on illicit tobacco – 29/06/09
Published: 29/06/09
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Martin Moodie
SWITZERLAND. The future of duty free tobacco sales came under the microscope yesterday as the third session of negotiations on the World Health Organization (WHO) Protocol to combat illicit trade in tobacco products opened in Geneva.
The discussion took place during the first stages of the WHO International Negotiating Body meeting (INB3), which began with opening statements by the national delegations.
An international lobby – driven by the European Travel Retail Council ETRC and the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) and supported by bodies such as the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA), ASUTIL, the Middle East Duty Free Association, Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association – has led a global campaign to protect the travel retail channel’s right to sell duty free tobacco to international travellers.
ETRC-backed consultancy Hume Brophy reported from Geneva that during the opening statements (when countries and regional delegations flag up specific items of particular concern) the South East Asia Region reiterated its earlier call for a full ban on all sales of duty free tobacco to international travellers.
Hume Brophy noted: “As expected, the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), which groups together all the major anti-smoking groups from across the world, targeted duty free in their opening lobbying salvos, and are making strenuous efforts to try to get countries to support their position.”
In a statement made by the Maldives representative, on behalf of all members of the delegation, the South East Asia region called for an end to all duty free tobacco sales. This was backed up by comments from the Philippines, which called for health issues to be made a priority over commercial or trade concerns and duty free tobacco to be ended.
In response a number of countries such as Cuba defended the industry, stating that the purpose of the Protocol was to combat illicit trade, not to hurt legitimate businesses. The United Arab Emirates representative stated that the country was not convinced of the case to ban duty free tobacco and suggested that further reflection was required. Oman made a similar statement.
Hume Brophy reported that Cuba was today awarded the FCA ‘dirty ashtray award’ for its passionate defence of the duty free industry.
Keith Spinks of ETRC and Jon Kent of IAADFS are both present in Geneva at the negotiations.
MORE STORIES ON THE THREAT TO DUTY FREE TOBACCO SALES
ETRC calls for major lobbying drive to defend industry against tobacco threat – 22/06/09
Industry pressures outlined as TFWA Asia Pacific begins in Singapore with Gate One2One conference – 11/05/09
Overall duty free tobacco ban still a threat says ETRC as it seeks clarity on World Health Organization text – 04/05/09
ETRC warns of “serious and immediate” threat to tobacco as WHO proposes outright ban – 23/04/09
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