176 countries agree to fight illicit tobacco trade: Official

SEOUL (AP) - A South Korean Health Ministry official says 176 countries, including European Union members and China, have agreed on an international protocol to eliminate tobacco black markets.

If the protocol is ratified, the countries will be required to introduce systems to track tobacco products and regulate supply chains.

Illegal trade accounts for about 10 per cent of the tobacco market and results in lost tax revenue of US$40.5 billion (S$49.6 billion) annually.

The agreement was reached at a meeting in Seoul of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The parties will also discuss guidelines on taxation.