On March 2nd EFA policy adviser Daniela Morghenti participated at the event “Towards an EU-wide traceability of tobacco products: ensuring an independent and efficient system to fight illicit trade and protect public health”, organised by the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP).
Given that by 2019 the EU will implement the first regional system to have a tracing system for tobacco products, the panelists explained the different possibilities for the European track and trace system that needs to be put in place according to the Tobacco Products Directive entered into force in June 2016.
The event host, Member of the European Parliament Gilles Pargneaux (S&D, FR) and chair of the European Parliament Working Group against interference of tobacco industry, said that illicit trade of tobacco product is not only a public health issue but it also concerns taxation and national security policies. Illicit trade in tobacco products is estimated USD 40 to 50 billion a year, and in the case of the EU, it represents USD 10 to 12 billion each year of fiscal cost.
More information about the event is here.