Tobacco: Illicit Trade

Lord Young of Cookham Excerpts

Tuesday 14th June 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

My Lords, it is not the tobacco industry’s duty to prevent smuggling. It can help the Government, but it is HMRC and Border Force which are there to control smuggling.

[Lord Young of Cookham (Con)]

My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that it is the Government’s intention to ratify the WHO protocol on the illicit trade in tobacco?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

Yes, my Lords, the Government wish to ratify the protocol as soon as they can. They continue to work towards ratification of the protocol, although many measures are already in place—for example, a register of tobacco manufacturers. They have recently consulted on the requirements of Article 6 of the protocol on the mandatory licensing of tobacco machinery and the possible licensing of the supply chain.