The programme for the third Optical and Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference is now available.

The Second Meeting of the Parties (MOP2) to the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products concluded a few weeks ago, with some decisions adopted in record time.

In a recent interview by the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP) with Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat, Dr Blanco expressed her concerns with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the progression of the FCTC and its Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. She further stressed the importance of civil organisations in helping parties to implement FCTC provisions at national, regional and global level.

In July, an online webinar held by the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) brought together 160 stakeholders from around the world to discuss best practices for implementing a tobacco control and revenue-raising programme, against the backdrop of the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

This month, in Panama, the first meeting of a working group set up by the parties to the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products was held, with a focus on the tracking and tracing, global information-sharing focal point and unique ID requirements of the Protocol.