New Zealand has been a party to an international treaty that aims to prevent harms from tobacco use, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO): the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) since 2005.

The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, (is part of this Treaty), aims to provide a global response to the illicit trade in tobacco products. The Government is undertaking consultation to inform decision-making as to whether it should agree to become a party to it.

This consultation document puts forward two options:

• Option 1: New Zealand does not become a party to the Protocol and continues with its current approach to preventing illicit trade in tobacco products.
• Option 2: New Zealand becomes a party to the Protocol and makes the necessary changes to meet the mandatory requirements of the Protocol.

New Zealand’s existing laws already comply with many of the obligations in the Protocol. However, if New Zealand became a party to the Protocol, some legislative reforms would probably be needed, along with new systems, processes and initiatives to support them. This consultation paper explores these implications:

https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-zealand-and-protocol-eliminate-illicit-trade-tobacco-products

Feedback Due: Please send any comments to leannem@nzno.org.nz by 5 June 2015