Einojoemon Ando Chairman, Duty Free Shop Association of Japan C/o Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. 3rd Floor, Cosmo Catering Building New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan Tel: 81-476-32-7716 Fax: 81-476-32-8607 E-mail:
[email protected] 30 August 2000 Tobacco Free Initiative World Health Organization Opposition to a Ban on Duty-free Sales Clause in WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Draft) In regard to the clause concerning the banning of duty-free sales in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which is being drawn up within the WHO, I am writing in the capacity of representative of airport duty-free store operators in Japan to advise that this Association finds the article completely unacceptable and to express the following points in opposition to the article. 1. Overview of Association (1) The Association was founded in Tokyo in 1974 and is currently comprised of 28 corporate members involved in sales of tax and duty-free goods at international airports in Japan. (2) These corporate members employ 5,159 staff. (3) The Association is funded almost entirely from membership dues. (4) The Association was founded to assist and develop the airport duty-free shop industry through mutual cooperation and understanding between members and to help achieve the objectives for creating airport facilities for the convenience of users and thereby contribute to air transport in Japan and the international tourism industry. (5) The Association’s scope of activities and authority is as follows. 1 To study all issues related to the operation of duty-free shops 2 To liaise and cooperate with government agencies, airlines and other organizations in relation to the operation of duty-free shops 3 To liaise and negotiate with exporters of bonded goods handled by Association members and with other associated organizations 4 To facilitate contact between members 5 Other activities as required to achieve the objectives of the Association 2.