Who profits from tobacco smuggling?

An official account on tobacco trade worldwide has shown that tobacco smuggling is on the increase. The increase in tobacco smuggling also leads to tobacco consumption and exacerbates the associated health hazards. Furthermore, the illicit trade in tobacco products reduces tax income of states and funds criminal and terrorist groups.

This was contained in a statement by Unfairtobacco.org in its world map strategies in connection with this year’s world no tobacco day which fell on may 31st

Illegal traded cigarettes are cheaper than officially traded ones

Irrespective of the emphasis placed on tax increases on cigarettes, product regulations or packaging provisions, the tobacco industry frequently make use of illicit trade. Cigarette companies always raise alarm on public health measures to fuel illicit trade and thus making it counterproductive. Illicit trade in tobacco remains concealed by Multinational companies like Philip Morris or British American Tobacco. They have participated for many years in the illicit trade of tobacco products and contributed in establishing the criminal structures about which they vigorously complain today.

To check the illegal tobacco trade , a new alliance against cigarette smuggling was formed in 2012 with the Protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products supplementary to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which was also signed by Germany, and yet to be ratified.

Strategies of market expansion: an overview
The participation in illicit trade is only one of the numerous strategies developed by cigarette companies to open up new markets and increase their market shares. Today, a new study ( in Germany by Laura Graen) and a new world map by Unfairtobacco.org offer a first overview on the worldwide activities of the tobacco industry. Answers to the following questions in connection with the tobacco trade are provided using specific examples as below:

• In which countries do new trends of tobacco advertisement appear?
• Where and when do tobacco companies perform as sponsors?
• How does the tobacco industry exert influence on political decision makers?
• Which advantages do tobacco companies take from trade agreements such as TTIP?

For further queries, please contact us:
Sonja von Eichborn | eichborn@unfairtobacco.org | tel: +49-30-694 6101

Laura Graen | graen@forchangemakers.com | tel.: +49-1577-259 22 47

SOURCE:
Executive Director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

0244 370345/ 0264370345/0208844791 abdulai.alhasan@gmail.com/eanfoworld@yahoo.com