Panama to host world tobacco control conference

Panama the first country in the world to sanction the absolute prohibition of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products has signed a hosting agreement for a conference of the Parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the third Meeting of the Parties of the Protocol for the Elimination of Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (MOP3), to be held in November 2023.

The Minister of Health Luis Francisco Sucre, representing e President, Laurentino Cortizo that the reception agreement is a step that adds to the efforts and commitments of all Panamanians to make COP 10 and the MOP 3, two conventions that provide key elements and guidelines for the States to continue advancing, forcefully and without setbacks in the implementation of the measures, which as parties to the Framework Convention and the protocol, binding international treaties, must be complied with.

“Our country has demonstrated its leadership in terms of public policies related to tobacco control and is walking steadily towards the eradication of its illicit trade while promoting a culture of risk prevention.

Adriana Blanco Marquizo, head of the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, pointed out that “Panama is a pioneer in tobacco control, it has been since the beginning of the negotiations of the treaty, during its implementation and now with the new protocol treaty for the Elimination of the Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products”.

In Panama, Law 13 of 2008 was approved, which adopts measures for the control of tobacco and its consumption in closed places with public access. It is the first country in the world to enact an absolute ban on the advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products.

The deputy director of the National Customs Authority, Juan Pablo García, said that holding these two major events in the country will allow all the States that appear to issue joint legal instruments and declarations against the illicit trade in tobacco products.