Cigarette pack marking scheme in line with WHO framework

MANILA, Philippines - PMFTC Inc. said its recommendation for a unique pack marking system for cigarettes using secure digital technology is in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The FCTC is a global treaty that seeks to regulate and reduce tobacco use.

PMFTC Inc. president Chris Nelson said that the “Philippine government will have complete control over the system,” adding that PMI will allow an independent third party solution provider to customize its track and trace system according to the government’s need.

“A third party provider will offer the Codentify system to the government, either through a competitive bidding initiated by the government or by way of an unsolicited proposal,” he said.

“If the offer is accepted, the third party provider will be under contract with and reports solely to the government. During the evaluation of the offer and prior to the implementation of the Codentify system, the government can check and audit said system to ensure that it is tamper-free and can only be accessed by its authorized persons,” Nelson said. “The third party provider will be an internationally known independent and credible systems provider knowledgeable about the Codentify system.”

The independent system provider will install the equipment in government premises, provide the necessary training and support, and help the government audit the system once installed in the cigarette factories.

According to Nelson, the system uses state-of-the-art encryption technology, similar to what is used for e-banking. The encryption key will only be determined and known to the government – not to any manufacturer – and the computer servers that are “the brain” of the system will be located in government offices such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.

“Our company is willing to provide a pilot project in our factory – at no cost and no obligations to government – to enable all relevant public officials to assess how Codentify operates, check its integrity, define additional specifications that might be required to suit government’s need, as well as work with the third party systems provider, “ said Nelson.

Nelson also mentioned that PMI uses Codentify in response to the growing illicit trade of tobacco products worldwide.

“The illicit trade of cigarettes is a serious threat to our business,” Nelson said, adding that his company has worked with governments of other countries to combat cigarette smuggling.

“Codentify is a part of our global tracking and tracing system and has been in use for several years already by the European Union (EU) and its member states. In fact, our partnership with the EU against the trade of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes has been hailed a success and declared a ‘gold standard’ for cooperation between the private and public sector by EU member states,” declared Nelson.