Issue 73 Tuesday 12 February 2008 Geneva Building Support for Death Clock and minute silence Global Tobacco Control Respecting a minute’s silence, delegates commemorated the victims of tobacco- Inside this issue related diseases since FCTC negotiations began at 9am on 25 October 1999. Niger 2 World Customs Organisation Guess what… Japan 2 throws weight behind Protocol Treaty and tobacco 3 4 Illicit money Speaking at yesterday’s opening Ple- against this global scourge.” It called nary session, the World Customs on customs organisations, “to take Organisation said that, given the advantage of this historic opportunity links with transnational crime, with a view to strengthening their “countering tobacco smuggling is statutory powers to counter the illicit given a high priority” by our organi- trade in tobacco products, since such sation and its Members.” It went on strengthened Customs powers may to say that it “attaches great impor- also apply to all other types of smug- Since the opening of the first tance to internationally consolidated gling and fraud in the long run.” It working group for the Frame- law enforcement actions with a view summed up by saying, “We can all work Convention on Tobacco to preventing illicit trade in tobacco agree that the Protocol holds enor- Control on 25 October 1999, products.