Eliminating illicit trade could boost global tax revenues by about US$47.4 billion annually. Photo credit: H.M. Revenue & Customs, CC2.0.
Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products concluded their fourth session in Geneva with a slate of decisions designed to tighten global cooperation and control measures against the illicit tobacco market. Delegates from 60 Parties met from November 24 to 26, 2025, and agreed to intensify information-sharing, expand evidence-based research, and strengthen enforcement coordination.
Independent estimates show that illicit tobacco accounts for about 11% of the global market and drains governments of billions of dollars in tax revenue. Some analyses suggest that eliminating illicit trade could raise global tax revenues by roughly US$47.4 billion each year.
Andrew Black, acting head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), told delegates that illicit trade “robs governments of vital resources, undermines public health, and erodes the foundations of sustainable development.” He added that the Protocol “equips Parties with tools to slam the door on illicit trade” and warned that the illegal market fuels corruption, money laundering, and organized crime. “We cannot allow those who profit from illicit trade in tobacco to escape justice,” he said.
During the meeting, Parties adopted several decisions to advance implementation of the Protocol. One decision instructs the Convention Secretariat, working with the World Customs Organization and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, to compile and analyze existing data on seizures of tobacco, tobacco products, and manufacturing equipment. Delegates agreed that the resulting analysis will guide future strategies to counter illicit trade.
Parties also created a working group to expand evidence-based research and promote the exchange of experiences, case studies, best practices, technology, and capacity-building tools. A second working group will identify effective practices and prepare recommendations to strengthen cooperation and assistance for investigations and prosecutions of illicit-trade offenses.
Delegates adopted another decision urging Parties to step up monitoring and collection of licensing fees. Parties can use these fees to support licensing administration, enforcement, public health activities, or other related programs. The decision also encourages Parties to work together—and with international and regional organizations—to provide technical assistance, training, and broader cooperation related to licensing measures.
Several governments highlighted the importance of stronger restrictions on supply-chain controls, improved financial support mechanisms, and enforcement coordination across borders. Discussions covered licensing, supply-chain monitoring, and ways to mobilize financial resources to support implementation of the Protocol.
The meeting also marked a milestone for treaty membership. Officials announced that Vanuatu had joined the Protocol as its 71st Party.
The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, adopted on November 12, 2012 during the 5th session of the WHO FCTC Conference of the Parties in Seoul, aims to counter the global problem of illegal tobacco trade. The treaty expands on Article 15 of the WHO FCTC, which outlines measures to combat illicit trade as part of comprehensive tobacco-control policy.