WHO signs illicit tobacco accord with Oceania customs

The World Health Organization has pledged to work more closely with customs in the Pacific region to clamp down on the illicit trade in tobacco.

A memorandum of understanding between the WHO and Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) aims to encourage information exchange and best practices in "preventing and eliminating the trade" which is described as a huge problem with around 9 per cent of all cigarettes sold in the region illicit.

Organised crime networks are increasingly getting involved in tobacco smuggling and the Pacific is becoming an easy target for the activity, because island nations have sea borders that are challenging to control. Much of the illicit tobacco is being introduced into the region from Asia, but there is also some production and trade occurring within Oceania, says the OCO.

Seve Paeniu, head of the OCO Secretariat, said that demand for illicit tobacco "is high and will continue to increase consistent with increasing taxes that many Customs administrations in our region are imposing."

"Whilst OCO member countries are making progress in combating illegal trade of tobacco and protecting both public money and public health, there is always more we can do," he added. "A coordinated regional response and partnership is necessary to respond to this complex problem."

The MoU outlines key joint activities that can be pursued with the WHO and includes information and data sharing, alignment of customs legislation, awareness raising and joint missions to Pacific islands.