The illicit trade in tobacco products in Egypt has represented a major challenge since 2011, and to the country's stated commitment to become a Party to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, a critically important new tool to confront the illicit trade, under WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
In this context, the WHO country office in Egypt, in collaboration with the Cairo Association against Smoking, Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (CASTLE), a nongovernmental organization, and the Tobacco Control Department in the Ministry of Health and Population, released the results of a study on illicit tobacco trade in Egypt 2016–2017 on 11 January 2018.
The study aimed to investigate the situation of illicit tobacco trade in Egypt and compare results from the previous study conducted in 2012–2013. The latest study used the same methodology to allow comparability and provide direct evidence of the magnitude and forms of illicit tobacco trade in Egypt.
One of the major findings was a significant reduction in the illicit trade in tobacco in Egypt thanks to the efforts of the Government. The study also determined the profile of illicit cigarette users as being young, low-income or unemployed with low levels of education.
Among the recommendations of the study were for Egypt to sign the WHO Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products to be among the first 40 Parties to do so for the Protocol to take effect. Recommendations also highlighted how multisectoral collaboration could be achieved through the development of a national action plan on the essential steps needed to address the public health problem of the illicit trade and for the public's awareness to be raised on the harmful effects of tobacco use on health.
Consensus was reached that sustained monitoring of the magnitude of the problem and evaluation of multisectoral governmental interventions were needed taken to combat illicit trade in the country.
Related link
Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products