Preface
We have the pleasure to review the note recording the Chairpersons
personal view of the overall content of the discussions that have taken place
during the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on a
Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products held in Geneva, 1116
February 2008. The document is entitled Drafting and Negotiation of a
Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (FCTC/COP/INB-IT/1/7)
(hereinafter INB Drafting and Negotiation Document), which includes
very detailed discussions on the drafting and negotiation of a protocol on
illicit trade in tobacco products. We are pleased to note the significant
progress in the discussions.
Situated in a region that is of substantial interest to prevent and eliminate
illicit trade in tobacco products, and being a member in the international
society, we feel that we have a moral obligation to share our opinions on
certain issues, in the hope that these opinions might be taken into
consideration in the next stage of negotiations.
The comments and recommendations presented in this booklet are drafted
and prepared carefully by a group of experts in Taiwan after many rounds
of deliberation. They are made in accordance with the order of the issues
discussed in INB Drafting and Negotiation Document, with the original
paragraphs being included in each column, followed by our reasoned
comments and recommendations.
This is our second time to make comments and
recommendations on the
FCTC documents. In June 2007, we made our Comments and Recommendations on Draft Guidelines and Protocols for Tobacco Control
under FCTC. We will be working on commenting other documents under
FCTC/COP/INB-IT/1/7
2 the FCTC. We do hope that our constant and continuous efforts will be of
help to enhance the negotiations and to perfect the future protocol on illicit
trade as well as other documents.
Bureau of Health Promotion,
Department of Health
Taiwan, a Partner and Friend of FCTC
June 2008