Written Answers Nos. 670-701
670. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health in respect of the Health Service Executive, arising from the Haddington Road agreement the targeted savings in the Department for 2013 and the savings achieved in 2013; the targeted additional savings for 2014; and the amount expected to be achieved in 2014 and the additional targeted savings for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32214/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
671. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an application for a home care package will urgently be processed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32220/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
672. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of agencies or State bodies under the aegis of his Department that have been abolished since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32242/14]
View answerFour bodies, National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery, National Social Workers Qualifications Board, Children Acts Advisory Board and the Drug Treatment Centre Board (functions transferred to the HSE) have been dissolved since March 2011. There are now 19 agencies under the aegis of my department.
Appendix II of the Public Service Reform Plan published on 17th November 2011, 'Rationalisation of State Agencies', identified three agencies under the aegis of this Department to be rationalised, amalgamated or abolished in 2012 - the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery, the Opticians Board and the National Cancer Registry Board. The National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery was dissolved on 31 December, 2011.
The Opticians Board is to be subsumed into the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. The general scheme of Bill for this purpose was approved by Government and assigned to the Office of the Parliamentary Draftsman in July 2013. The Bill will be published before the end of the month and is scheduled for debate in the Dail in September, 2014 with a view to enactment before year end. In the case of the National Cancer Registry Board, my predecessor decided that with the ongoing changes to the structure of the HSE, and the fact that the Health Information Bill has not yet been enacted, it would not be appropriate to subsume the Registry into the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme.
673. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of new agencies or State bodies that have been established under the aegis of his Department since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32257/14]
View answerNo new statutory bodies have been established under the aegis of my Department since 2011.
674. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the total value of bonus payments made to staff under the aegis of his Department in 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32272/14]
View answerThe Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the information sought. In relation to both my Department and the Non-Commercial Semi State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, no bonus payments were made to staff in 2013, or to date in 2014.
675. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the total number of appointments to State boards since March 2011 under the aegis of his Department; the total number of appointments that have been advertised on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32302/14]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Health is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1424 of 2011, relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.
There were some exceptions to the advertising process in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, the members of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal were appointed, on the advice of the Attorney General, as these members carry out a very specific role in relation to assessing the quantum of awards under the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act. Another exception was in the case of some hospital boards, e.g. Beaumont and St James’s, where the term of existing members was extended as a prudent provisional measure, to allow time for appropriate competencies required in members of these boards to be set out, given the Health Reform Programme and its impact on hospital configuration. Appointments of the new board members were subsequently advertised.
In 2012 existing board members of the National Paediatric Hospital Board were re-appointed for a 3 month period to allow time to consider the competencies required by board members into the future. In January 2013 four Departmental officials and two HSE nominated officials were appointed for a number of months for the same reason. In July 2013, the Chairperson and 3 other members for which the Minister had nominating rights were also appointed.
The table below sets out the number of appointments to State Boards under the remit of the Department, where the Minister had nominating rights, and on the nomination of other bodies since March 2011 to 2014 (to date), including the number that were publicly advertised and the number of appointments drawn directly from the advertising process. It should be noted that there were no advertising campaigns in 2011, but 34 appointments were made where the Minister had nominating rights.
|
Number of Appointments 2011 - 2014 (to date) |
484 |
|
Appointments made where Minister had nominating rights |
331 |
|
Number of Positions Advertised |
272 |
|
Appointments made drawn directly from the public advertisement process |
116 |
|
Appointments made where Minister did not have nominating rights |
153 |
676. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of his Department since March 2011 that have appeared before the relevant Oireachtas joint committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to Chairpersons appearing before Oireachtas Joint Committee is not readily available, but I will forward a detailed reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
677. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the number of retired public servants who have been awarded temporary or term time posts in his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [32332/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below. Four former staff members of my Department (2.2 wholetime equivalents) who had previously retired were employed in the Department in line with a Government Decision on the arrangements for dealing with our EU Presidency requirements. These officers had experience and expertise that was essential to a successful Presidency for Ireland in the important area of Health Policy. The fixed term contracts of employment in each of these cases terminated as soon as our Presidency tasks were discharged. In addition an ex-Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Area Health Board was employed by former Minister Reilly as his Special Adviser on a two thirds basis.
Former Minister of State Alex White employed a retired public servant as Special Adviser and retired public servants as Civilian Drivers. Former Ministers of State John Moloney and Áine Brady also employed retired public servants, as Personal Secretary (Minister Moloney) and Civilian Driver (Minister Brady).
|
Grade |
Period of Employment |
|
1 Principal Officer (50% of full time) |
02 July 2012 to 31 July 2013 |
|
2 Assistant Principal Officers (50% of full time) |
02 July 2012 to 31 July 2013 |
|
1 Assistant Principal Officer (70% of full time) |
01 October 2012 to 31 July 2013 |
|
1 Special Adviser (66% of full time) 1 Special Adviser (full time) |
22 February 2012 to 16 August 2013 07 May 2013 to 11 July 2014 |
|
1 Personal Secretary (45% of full time) |
13 May 2008 to 09 March 2011 |
|
4 Civilian Drivers |
04 May 2009 to 09 March 2011 29 October 2012 to 28 July 2013 06 December 2013 to 11 July 2014 09 December 2013 to 11 July 2014 |
The pensions of all these staff were subject to pension abatement rules.
A number of other retired public servants have from time to time been engaged for specific tasks e.g. interview boards in respect of which no actual posts are awarded but a per diem allowance is payable for the day or days involved.
678. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards that have been returned to persons in County Kerry in recent weeks following their initial withdrawal under the reviews of recent years; the number in County Kerry that will be returned and when the return of all cards will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32346/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
679. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the construction of the 40-bed unit at the Cherryfield site, Killarney, County Kerry; the timeframe for the project and when completion is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32349/14]
View answerDelivery of healthcare facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
680. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular format the commitments under the programme for Government which his Department is responsible for; the progress made to date with regard to each commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32397/14]
View answerEach year the Department of An Taoiseach publishes a report setting out progress made on the implementation of the Programme for Government. The third annual report, published on 4 March 2014, sets out the work carried out across all Government Departments, including my Department. The report is available on the Department of An Taoiseach's website.
The information in tabular format as requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.
681. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the extent to which records maintained by the former Department of Local Government and Public Health from 1924 to 1947 are in the possession of his Department since its establishment in 1947; if these records contain information relating to payments made by the State to religious institutions in return for those institutions taking individuals deemed in need of institutional care such as that provided by mother and baby homes, Magdalene Laundries, children's and orphans homes and related institutions; if he will undertake to determine the fullest extent to which these records exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32414/14]
View answerRecords of the Department of Health are held on a Central Records and File Tracking System (CRAFTS). The system, which includes two databases, allows the Department to record and actively track the title and whereabouts of all files of the Department. These include records transferred to it from the Department of Local Government and Public Health on the establishment of the Department of Health in 1947. Other records relating to the functional areas of the health service would have transferred from local authorities to the health boards in 1971 and subsequently to the Health Service Executive in 2005.
The Department's CRAFTS Active database contains all files that are currently in use and held in the relevant section within my Department, while the Inactive and National Archives database lists all other files, including departmental files stored in a secure off site facility or in the National Archives. Department files that have been transferred to the National Archives cease to be part of the holdings of the Department although they can be recalled on a temporary basis on request. The Inactive and National Archives database has a listing of over 230,000 files, 18,000 of which are deposited in the National Archives.
The AIRR (Access to Institutional and Related Records) Project began in 2004. Its purpose was to examine the Department’s child care files, find any references to the names of children who were in care and to create an index containing those names. The purpose of the index was to facilitate efficient and thorough searches and retrieval of records on behalf of individuals seeking their own personal information in the context of Freedom of Information legislation, Court Orders of Discovery and applications to the Residential Institutions Redress Board.
The Project involved the indexing of all papers held by the Department relating to child care services, some of which contain information referring to individual children who were in care. The personal information references have been indexed onto a specialised ‘names index’ along with other relevant information.
The Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State Involvement with the Magdalen Laundries considered the routes of entry to the Magdalen Laundries, including from Mother and Baby Homes, and my Department and the HSE conducted searches of retained records for any relevant information. All relevant information and records discovered in this context were passed in full to the Inter-Departmental Committee's Secretariat.
Government recently agreed to establish a Commission of Investigation to investigate mother and baby homes. Yesterday, my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, published the report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Mother and Baby Homes, which was established in early June, to assist the Government in scoping the necessary examination of this important issue. Submissions on the terms of reference for the Commission from over 120 groups and individuals have also been received by that Department and a number of meetings have been held with groups. Collectively, these inputs and consultations will assist the Government in finalising proposals for the Commission’s establishment. Any further detailed searches of the extensive records throughout the period referred to by the Deputy will be guided by the Commission.
682. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health based on the current income thresholds, the number of persons over the age of 70 who do not qualify for a general practitioner visit card; the cost of extending entitlement to a GP visit card to all persons over the age of 70; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32420/14]
View answerAs the most recent census of population was held in 2011 and there is no requirement for persons to register with the HSE or its Primary Care Reimbursement Service it is not possible to be exact on the number of persons currently aged 70 years and older who do not have a medical card or a general practitioner visit card. Based on a 2013 estimate of population from the CSO it is estimated that approximately 9 out of every 10 persons over the age of 70 years are eligible for either of a medical card or a general practitioner visit card. The policy and the associated costs of the second phase of the universal GP service to provide GP care to all persons over the age of 70 years is currently being considered by Government.
683. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented at accident and emergency units in each year from 2010 to 2013 who were not in possession of a medical card or a letter of referral from a GP; the amount raised from the charge applied to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32442/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to the exemptions under Article 3 which include medical card holders and those with a letter of referral from a GP.
684. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours allocated to Roscommon PCCC in each of the last five years; the end of year out-turn for hours utilised in each year; the allocation for 2014; the draw down in each month to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32502/14]
View answer685. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours allocated to Galway PCCC in each of the last five years; the end of year out-turn for hours utilised in each year; the allocation for 2014; the draw down in each month to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32503/14]
View answer686. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours allocated to Sligo-Leitrim-West Cavan PCCC in each of the last five years; the end of year out-turn for hours utilised in each year; the allocation for 2014; the draw down in each month to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32504/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 684 to 686, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
687. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the policy he has to ensure adequate health services on our offshore islands; the arrangements made to implement this policy uniformly across all islands in the state; the consultations he has had with the the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which has responsibility for overall island policy in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32520/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
688. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount paid to each agency staff provider by the Health Service Executive in 2013; the amount paid to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32552/14]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for a direct reply.
689. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the budget for the provision of home help by county or local health area for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32553/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
690. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards at 1 July 2014; the number of GP cards on the same date; and the number for each type of card issued on a discretionary basis on 1 July 2014 or more recently. [32554/14]
View answerThe table below provides medical and GP visit card figures at 1 July 2014, as requested by the Deputy.
|
Card Type |
No. of Cards |
|
Medical cards |
1,795,168 |
|
of which granted on the basis of discretion |
59,378 |
|
GP Visit cards |
137,690 |
|
of which granted on the basis of discretion |
29,681 |
692. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons who sought drug treatment and rehabilitation services broken down by county or local health area for each of the past five years and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32556/14]
View answer693. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of people who accessed drug treatment and rehabilitation services broken down by county or local health area for each of the past five years and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32557/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 693 together.
The HSE provides addiction services in a number of treatment settings to meet the needs of individual drug users. These settings include: primary care through GPs and community pharmacies; satellite clinics that facilitate opioid substitution provision through community pharmacies; treatment centres where opioid substitution treatment is dispensed on site; and residential rehabilitation facilities. As the matter raised by the Deputy is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
694. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the budget for drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects in each year for the past five years; the projected budget for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32558/14]
View answerDetails of the budget allocations from the Drugs Initiative to Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces to support community based drugs projects in each of the past five years, and for 2014, are provided in the table below. In relation to 2014, approximately 65% of the budget allocation refers to prevention, education and drug awareness projects, with 28% relating to treatment and rehabilitation projects while the remainder is primarily targeted at supply reduction measures. It should be noted that €21.57m in funding relating to community based drug projects, previously channelled through the HSE, was transferred from the vote of my Department to the HSE vote on 1st January 2014. This accounts for the reduction in the budget for drugs projects in my Department in the current year.
|
€m |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
LDTFs |
21.81 |
21.05 |
20.59 |
20.24 |
19.48 |
5.13 |
|
RDTFs |
9.89 |
9.99 |
9.73 |
9.49 |
8.97 |
1.48 |
|
Total |
31.7 |
31.04 |
30.32 |
29.73 |
28.45 |
6.61 |
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects which it funds.
695. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a full medical card which was withdrawn will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32589/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
696. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if alternative arrangements may be made in respect of speech therapy in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32591/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
697. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32603/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
698. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and grant a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [32606/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
699. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and for orthodontic treatment in Cork City and County; the steps being made by the Health Service Executive to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32608/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below. Cork City and County are part of the HSE South region. The most recent information relates to the first quarter of 2014.
HSE South
|
Waiting time from referral to assessment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
>2 years |
Total |
|
No. of Patients |
1,422 |
566 |
121 |
58 |
2,167 |
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
2 - 3 years |
Over 4 years |
TOTAL |
|
No. of Patients |
567 |
410 |
835 |
1,501 |
24 |
3,337 |
The HSE is aware of the need to address orthodontic waiting times and commissioned an independent national review of orthodontic services to give guidance as to what changes will be desirable. The review has now been completed. The key issue highlighted by the review, which has assessed services nationally, is that the Orthodontic Service should be fully integrated within the Primary Care Service. This is under consideration by the HSE to be implemented as part of the HSE's reform programme. In addition, an initiative to reduce waiting times through the provision of additional services is currently being explored by the HSE.
700. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress in respect of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if a decision is expected to issue shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32613/14]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
701. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to evidence that suggests that the introduction of plain packaging cigarettes will lead to an increase in illicit trade, counterfeit and contraband; the amount this costs the Exchequer in lost revenue at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32619/14]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that I am confident that the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 will have a positive impact on health and is a proportionate measure. As the Deputy may be aware, the tobacco industry has argued that standardised or plain packs would be easier to forge and would lead to growth in illicit trade of tobacco products. However, the Revenue Commissioners have advised me that they are satisfied that the standardised packaging legislation will not have a significant impact on their work in relation to illicit trade in tobacco products. The Revenue Commissioners have advised that the tax stamp is a key means for them to distinguish between legal and illegal products, irrespective of the way in which the cigarettes are packaged. Tax stamps will remain a fixture on tobacco products following the introduction of standardised packaging, and contain all features possible to minimise the risk of counterfeiting.
Combating the illegal tobacco trade is, and will continue to be, a high priority for the Revenue Commissioners. They have extensive cooperation with An Garda Síochána in combating the illicit trade, and in addition, cooperation takes place with other revenue administrations and with the European Anti-Fraud office, OLAF, in the ongoing programmes at international level to tackle the illicit trade.
Research carried out by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, in conjunction with the HSE National Tobacco Control Office, indicates that contraband represents the majority of illicit cigarettes. Figures from 2013 indicate that the proportion of smokers classified as having an illegal pack was 12%, representing a decrease of 4% since 2009. These findings indicate that the level of consumption of illicit product is being contained, although Revenue remains determined to confront the illegal trade in tobacco products, to optimise levels of seizures of illicit tobacco product and to pursue those found to be involved in this illegal activity. The research estimates that the consumption of illegal cigarettes represented a loss to Revenue of approximately €212 million in excise duties and VAT in 2013; a decrease from the estimated figure of €249 million in 2010.
The 2014 EU Tobacco Products Directive sets out further measures to be adopted by Member States in order to tackle illicit trade; in particular, it includes provisions relating to traceability and security features of tobacco products. Tobacco products will be marked with a unique identifier and security features. This will allow for their movements to be recorded and for such products to be tracked and traced throughout the EU. This will also facilitate the verification of whether or not tobacco products are authentic.
Following Government approval, Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations signed the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, adopted by the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), in New York on 20 December 2013. The new international treaty is aimed at combating illegal trade in tobacco products through control of the supply chain and international cooperation. As a key measure, Parties commit to establishing a global tracking and tracing system to reduce and eventually eradicate illicit trade.
In view of the above, it is anticipated that illicit trade of tobacco will not increase as a result of the introduction of standardised packaging.
