You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 44.201.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪ST47‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a web host's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and they should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 23:54, 31 July 2024.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
Your IP address is in a range that has been blocked on all Wikimedia Foundation wikis. The block was made by ‪AntiCompositeNumber‬. The reason given is Open proxy/Webhost: Visit the FAQ if you are affected .
- Start of block: 13:55, 18 August 2022
- Expiry of block: 13:55, 18 April 2025
Your current IP address is 44.201.28.123. The blocked range is 44.201.0.0/16. Please include all above details in any queries you make. If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((Short description|Trade in tobacco goods which fail to comply with legislation))
((multiple issues|((Essay-like | date = October 2013))
((More citations needed | date = October 2013))))
[[File:Cigarettes hidden in a concrete block BA1.jpg|thumb|Cigarettes found hidden in concrete blocks]]
[[File:Cigarette smuggling with a book.JPG|thumb|Cigarettes concealed by a hidden compartment cut into a book]]

The '''illicit cigarette trade''' is defined as "the production, import, export, purchase, sale, or possession of tobacco goods which fail to comply with legislation" (FATF 2012).<ref name="(FATF 2012)"/> Illicit cigarette trade activities fall under 3 categories:

# '''[[Contraband]]''': cigarettes smuggled from abroad without domestic duty paid;
# '''[[Counterfeit]]''': cigarettes manufactured without authorization of the rightful owners, with intent to deceive consumers and to avoid paying duty;
# '''Illicit whites''': brands manufactured legitimately in one country, but smuggled and sold in another without duties being paid.

'''Cigarette smuggling''', also informally referred to as "'''buttlegging'''", is the illicit transportation of [[cigarette]]s or [[cigar]]s from an administrative division with low taxation to a division with high taxation for sale and consumption. The practice, commonly used by the [[tobacco industry]],<ref>[https://tobaccotactics.org/wiki/tobacco-smuggling/ "Tobacco Smuggling"], TobaccoTactics website by the Tobacco Control Research Group of the [[University of Bath]] (retrieved on 24 June 2021).</ref><ref>A. B. Gilmore, A. W. A. Gallagher and A. Rowell, [https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/28/2/127 "Tobacco industry's elaborate attempts to control a global track and trace system and fundamentally undermine the Illicit Trade Protocol"], ''[[Tobacco Control (journal)|Tobacco Control]], volume 28, pages 127-140, 2019.</ref> [[organized crime]] syndicates and rebel groups, is a form of [[tax evasion]].<ref name=atf>((cite web|author=Bruce Bartlett|year=2002|url=http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba423/|title=Cigarette Smuggling|publisher=National Center for Policy Analysis|access-date=2007-12-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123224044/http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba423/|archive-date=2008-01-23))</ref> [[Interstate 95]], a highway traversing the East Coast of the United States, came to be known informally as "New Tobacco Road"((Citation needed|date=September 2018)) when it became a favorite cigarette-smuggling route. Illicit cigarette trade is usually a [[crime]].

== Drivers of illicit trade ==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S84898, Berlin, Polizist mit entdecktem Schmuggelversteck.jpg|thumb|Contraband cigarettes found by police]]
The illicit trade of tobacco is both supply and demand driven, as consumers look to save money by evading taxes on tobacco; and suppliers want to take advantage of easy border entry, high profit margins, and weak repercussions if caught. Illegal cigarettes are priced much cheaper than legal cigarettes, and do not undergo stringent regulation in the form of health warnings, product checks, or age verification. Studies highlight that increased tobacco taxes do not dissuade consumers from smoking, rather, consumers turn to cheaper brands and illegal cigarettes.<ref>((Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Duncan |date=17 April 2013 |title=Smokers turning more to illicit tobacco |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/578983ee-a776-11e2-9fbe-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2fVzCAL3E |work=[[Financial Times]]))</ref>  Low costs of production and high levels of demand make illicit cigarettes one of the world's most trafficked illegal goods.<ref name="(Allen 2011)"/> In London alone, 85% of smuggled cigarettes were found to be counterfeit, while the UK Border Agency averages more than 1 million counterfeit cigarette seizures per day.<ref name="(ICC 2007)"/> Similarly, South Africa reports the incidence of illicit cigarettes has doubled the past 3 years, accounting for 25% of the total market in 2012.<ref name="(Allen 2011)">Allen, E. (2011) ‘The Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and How to Tackle it’. World Customs Journal, 6(2), 121-130</ref> Public tolerance and acceptance of illegal cigarettes as a norm also factors into the continued purchase behavior among consumers, as they believe legitimate cigarettes are over-taxed and too expensive.

Illicit cigarettes continue to dominate in Malaysia, where 34.5% of all cigarettes,<ref name=":2">Internatioinal Tax and Investment Center and Oxford Economics (2013) 'Asia-11 Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2012'. International Tax and Investment Center and Oxford Economics, 1-132</ref> approximately 7.9 billion sticks, sold were illicit. Illicit trade remains prevalent in Malaysia due to its long coast lines, which allow for shipments to be sent from neighbouring nations, such as kreteks from Indonesia, into the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.<ref name=":0">Rejab, I. and Zain, Z. (2006) 'Modus Operandi of Cigarette Smuggling'. South East Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, 1-44</ref> Smugglers have also become increasingly more efficient in unloading, storing, and distributing smuggled cigarettes quickly in local villages; whilst avoiding customs officers. In [[Lahad Datu]], [[Sabah]], locals have become part of the problem, as they frequently purchase illicit cigarettes from illegal immigrants from the [[Philippines]] and [[Indonesia]]—who openly peddle these goods in a thriving flea market full of smuggled illicit goods.<ref>((Cite news |date=19 March 2013 |title=LAHAD DATU: 'Locals a part of the problem' |url=http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/font-color-red-lahad-datu-font-locals-a-part-of-the-problem-1.237560 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322053720/https://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/font-color-red-lahad-datu-font-locals-a-part-of-the-problem-1.237560 |archive-date=22 March 2013 |work=[[New Straits Times]]))</ref> Lax law enforcement further facilitates the prevalence of illicit trade and smuggled goods in this area, as the sale of these illicit goods are responsible for sustaining the livelihood of these illegal immigrants. The low salaries of responsible law enforcement units  are highlighted as a contributing factor to the lack of smuggled cigarette seizures. cigarette smugglers are notified before raids are conducted by Insiders in law enforcement, providing ample time to conceal shipments of illicit cigarettes.<ref name=":0" /> With less than 2% of all shipment containers checked upon arrival at ports (due to high volumes of containers), and low penalties for illicit smuggling, this issue will remain prevalent in [[Malaysia]] (and other countries with poor border control) as illicit cigarette smuggling continues to be seen as a lucrative, relatively low risk activity.

The implementation of the [[Plain cigarette packaging|Plain Packaging Act]] of tobacco products in 2012 in [[Australia]] has sparked debate on its efficacy on reducing the incidence of smoking among youth. While some studies conclude that plain packaging will make cigarettes less attractive to youth, the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC) has lobbied against the sale of plain packaged cigarettes—citing lack of evidence.<ref>((Cite news |last=Doward |first=Jamie |date=14 July 2012 |title=US free market group tries to halt sales of cigarettes in plain packets in UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jul/15/cigarettes-plain-packets-alec-koch-brothers |work=[[The Guardian]]))</ref> Tobacco organisations instead posit plain packaging will ease the ability of illegal tobacco manufacturers to replicate legitimate products—resulting in higher incidences of illicit trade. While no other countries have implemented plain packaging yet, time will tell if this move will have positive or negative consequences in reducing youth and adult smoking.<ref>((Cite news |last=Hawkins |first=Ross |date=16 July 2013 |title=Tobacco firm argued against plain packaging in meeting with UK government |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23331665 |work=[[BBC News]]))</ref>

== Links to organized crime ==
Numerous reports,<ref>((Cite web |title=Breaking International News & Views |url=https://www.reuters.com/home/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=Reuters |language=en))</ref><ref name="(FATF 2012)">Financial Action Task Force (2012) ‘Illicit Tobacco Trade’. FATF Report, 1-78</ref><ref name=":1">((Cite web |title=Illicit Trade Report 2012 |url=http://www.cites.org/fb/2013/wco_illicit_trade_report_2012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022012327/http://www.cites.org/fb/2013/wco_illicit_trade_report_2012.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2013 |website=cites.org))</ref> have forged links between the illegal tobacco trade and [[organized crime|organised crime]] groups, who are attracted by high consumer demand, high potential profits, and relatively low potential penalties. In Malaysia, first time offence results in up to RM100,000 fine and a 3-year sentence; with a RM200,000 fine and 6-year jail sentence for subsequent offences. Organised crime syndicates garner wide reach through diverse distribution channels in the form of small retailers and street vendors. While retailers may be charged in court if found to be in possession of cigarettes, it has been widely assumed that crime syndicates pay these fines in order to maintain cooperation with retailers, and sustain their distribution network. Beyond these traditional distribution channels, the resale of tobacco products on the Internet is being actively developed—enabling greater reach, more discretion, and lesser chances of being caught.<ref name=":1" /> In 2012, French police disrupted this trend through deleting domain names of online trading sites selling tobacco products.<ref name=":1" />

Evidence suggests tobacco smuggling operations have been linked to [[terrorist]] organisations such as [[Hamas]] and [[Hezbollah]], which utilize these profits to finance terrorism around the world.<ref>Alderman, J. (2012) ‘Strategies to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade’. Tobacco Control Law Consortium</ref><ref>((Cite news |last=Brady |first=Brittany |date=17 May 2013 |title=NY cigarette-smuggling ring may have terror link |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/us/new-york-cigarette-ring/index.html |work=[[CNN]]))</ref> since the 1980s. The WCO Illicit Trade Report 2012 highlights the illicit tobacco trade represents a good opportunity for organized crime groups and/or terrorists to generate large sums of criminal profits. Billingslea wrote, terrorist groups work with organized crime groups as well as International drug trafficking organisations due to their "established trafficking routes and business contacts for the transfer of commodity for profit", He adds, known and suspected Hezbollah and Hamas members have established front companies and legitimate businesses in the cigarette trade in Central and South America.<ref>Billingslea, W. (2004) 'Illicit Cigarette Trafficking and the Funding of Terrorism'. The Police Chief, 71(2), 1-7</ref> The [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] (Irish Republican Army) was one of the first groups to begin using cigarettes to fund their activities. Police estimate that the IRA made $100million in the past 5 years from trafficking illicit cigarettes. In the Middle East, the [[Kurdistan Workers' Party|Kurdish Workers Party]] (PKK) has known involvement in the trafficking of contraband cigarettes and tax stamps. The EU Commission report that the PKK has been smuggling American cigarettes into Iraq, which were then controlled by [[Saddam Hussein]]'s son. The combined efforts from cigarette and oil smuggling was reported to have made Saddam Hussein as much as $2.7billion annually after 1991.

Most recently, 16 Palestinian men arrested due to a cigarette smuggling scheme in [[New York City|New York]] were found to have some ties to convicted terrorists. One criminal in particular, had known financial ties to [[Omar Abdel-Rahman]], a cleric serving a life sentence for a conspiracy to blow up New York City landmarks. Others arrested also had ties to a top Hamas official.

Similarly in [[Hong Kong]], police arrested 1,200 individuals from a wide range of gangs for drug trafficking, illegal possession of arms, and contraband cigarettes. Operation Thunderbolt, which aims to target triads in Hong Kong and neighboring provinces, has been successful in infiltrating various branches of the gang's operational networks.

The [[World Customs Organization|World Customs Organisation]] (2013) notes that while the number of illegal cigarette seizures has increased globally, the number of smuggling routes and channels continue to diversify accordingly. In [[Ireland]], four men were recently caught transporting 9 million cigarettes with a retail value of €4.3 million, which arrived via sea freight from Malaysia. Police believe this shipment was destined for Ireland's largest smuggling gangs, who have also been involved in armed robberies and burglaries. In the [[United Kingdom]], cigarette smuggling has become so increasingly profitable that smuggling syndicates have turned to bribing young women to smuggle cigarettes in exchange for free summer holidays. UK border officials have revealed that close to 50 million cigarettes are seized each month from girls as young as 15, who were given flights to Spain, accommodation and pocket money. Cigarette smuggling has since become one of Europe's fastest growing forms of organized crime,<ref>((Cite news |last=Townsend |first=Mark |last2=McVeigh |first2=Tracy |date=5 September 2009 |title=Gangsters prey on young women to smuggle cigarettes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/06/cigarette-smuggling-uk-organised-crime |access-date= |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=))</ref> and has been responsible for funding larger operations such as drug smuggling or people trafficking. [[South Africa]] faces similar problems with cigarette smuggling, as police report the sale of illegal cigarettes is bigger than drugs in South Africa.<ref>((Cite web |title=Sars Confiscated R400 000 Worth of Illegal Cigarettes in Eastleigh |url=http://www.stopillegalcigarettes.co.za/article/2 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926225714/http://www.stopillegalcigarettes.co.za/article/2 |archive-date=26 September 2013 |website=Stop Illegal Cigarettes))</ref>

== Costs of illicit trade ==
The global scale of the illegal cigarette trade has reached an all-time high, as governments are estimated to lose over US$50 billion <ref>Geocurrents (2013) ‘Global patterns of tobacco related economic issues’. Geocurrents [online] available from <http://geocurrents.info/economic-geography/global-patterns-of-tobacco-related-economic-issues ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031235439/http://www.geocurrents.info/economic-geography/global-patterns-of-tobacco-related-economic-issues |date=2013-10-31 ))></ref> in global government revenues each year. A Euromonitor (2011) report estimates that there are 360 billion cigarettes consumed annually (excluding China), which accounts for 10% of the global market. Euromonitor (2013) reports black market sales of cigarettes rose for the 6th year in a row, although cigarette consumption in the [[European Union|EU]] fell by 5.7% in 2012—resulting in over 12 billion Euros in lost tax revenue. Illicit cigarette trade not only deprives the government of a key source of tax revenue, but also creates an imbalance in the market for legitimate industry players who operate within stringent regulations. In Asia-Pacific (and globally) Malaysia ranks as the country with the highest share (45%) of illicit cigarettes in the total market, followed by [[Hong Kong]] (35%), and [[Pakistan]] (26.7%) in the Asian continent.<ref>The Express Tribune (2013) ‘How illicit cigarette trade dents the socio-economic fabric’. The Express Tribune [online] available from <http://tribune.com.pk/story/598337/cancer-to-society-how-illicit-cigarette-trade-dents-the-socio-economic-fabric/></ref> Although illegal cigarettes have been associated with low-income groups, its low price and accessibility also makes it attractive to smokers in general due to increasing tobacco taxes, and affordable for youths—who have lower disposable income. Brunei illustrates a unique case globally, where 89.8%, or 315.2 million of cigarettes consumed are illicit.<ref name=":2" /> After the government's 339% excise duty application in 2010, cigarette prices hit $6.1 per pack, one of the highest in the Asia Pacific after Singapore and Australia. This resulted in the withdrawal of major international tobacco firms, and a tax loss of $63 million due to the proliferating illicit market. Tobacco Atlas estimates that if illicit trade was eliminated, $31.3 billion in tax revenue would be gained, and 164,000 premature deaths would be avoided annually due to higher average cigarette prices.<ref>((Cite web |title=Tobacco atlas |url=http://tobaccoatlas.org/uploads/Files/pdfs/industry/illicit_cigarettes/illicit_cigarettes_pdf.pd |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |website=tobaccoatlas.org))((Dead link|date=January 2024|fix-attempted=yes))</ref> The [[World Customs Organization|WCO]] recommends placing greater importance on information collection and sharing on a national and International level in order to develop strategies to respond to this threat.<ref name=":1" />

== Societal impacts of illicit trade ==

=== Youth smoking ===
Costs of illicit trade also go beyond purely financial measures, with repercussions such as encouraging youth uptake of smoking, and increasing health risks for consumers, as illegal cigarettes are not bound by product and ingredient checks. Despite industry and government efforts to implement ID checks for tobacco sales to regulate availability, the prominence of illicit cigarette trade facilitates cigarette affordability for youth;<ref>((Cite news |last=Konos |first=Bill |date=15 August 2013 |title=Illegal tobacco trade is £20m market in south-east London |url=http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2013/08/illegal-tobacco-trade-is-20m-market-in-south-east-london/ |work=East London Lines))</ref> with its lower-than-market price, and provision of easy channels for purchase in the form of small retailers and online. Internet sites have since become a core channel of distribution as it allows the selling and shipping of small quantities of cigarettes undetected by Customs Officials.<ref name="(Allen 2011)" /> Numerous studies<ref>((Cite web |date=31 July 2013 |title=Plain packaging of tobacco products |url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/tobacco-plain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113032033/http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/tobacco-plain |archive-date=13 November 2013 |website=[[Department of Health and Aged Care | Australian Department of Health]]))</ref><ref name="(Allen 2011)" /> also draw a direct link between the availability of cheap illicit cigarettes and the high youth smoking rates. In Canada, illegal cigarettes accounted for 17.5% of all cigarettes smoked by adolescents, with greater prevalence in [[Toronto]] and [[Quebec City|Quebec]], where 22% of Canadian high school students regularly smoke illegal cigarettes.<ref name="(Callaghan et al. 2009)"/> The study adds illegal cigarettes were responsible for providing an accessible alternative to quitting,<ref>Mecredy, G. C., Diemert, L. M., Callaghan, R. C. and Cohen, J. E. (2013) ‘Association between use of contraband tobacco and smoking cessation outcomes: a population-based cohort study’. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 185(7), 287-294</ref> and for youth in particular, encourages initiation and continuation of smoking over the long term.<ref name="(Callaghan et al. 2009)">Callaghan, R. C., Veldhuizen, S. Leatherdale, S., Murnaghan, D. and Manske, S. (2009) ‘Use of contraband cigarettes among adolescent daily smokers in Canada’. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 181(6-7), 384-386</ref>

=== Dangerous additives ===
The ICC ([[International Chamber of Commerce]]) warns counterfeit cigarettes were found to contain unsanitary ingredients (such as human feces, dead flies and mold), as well as a higher dosage of lethal substances in excess of legitimate cigarettes. Illicit cigarettes seized in [[Canada]] and the United Kingdom were found to contain five times more cadmium, six times as much lead, 160% more tar, and 133% more carbon dioxide.<ref name="(ICC 2007)">((Cite news |date=31 October 2011 |title=Counterfeit cigarettes contain disturbing toxic substances |url=http://www.iccwbo.org/News/Articles/2007/Counterfeit-cigarettes-contain-disturbing-toxic-substances/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923062222/http://www.iccwbo.org/News/Articles/2007/Counterfeit-cigarettes-contain-disturbing-toxic-substances/ |archive-date=23 September 2013 |work=[[International Chamber of Commerce]]))</ref> Consumers are warned to take caution and avoid the temptation to save money by purchasing illegal cigarettes as it poses greater health risks compared to legal cigarettes.

== Identifying illicit cigarettes ==
Below are some common indicators of illicit cigarette packs:

* The absence of pictorial health warnings
* Poor detailing on cigarettes (print, spelling errors, inconsistent lettering)
* Packs without domestic tax stamps or security marks
* Packs with non-domestic tax stamps
* Unlisted importer or manufacturer
* Unregistered brands
* Pack sizes with less than 20 cigarettes
* Unusual taste
* Cheap price (below market average)
* Not on the Trusted Trade Network database (individual product verification)

== Illicit trade around the world ==

===Australia===
The country's attempts to discourage smoking through higher taxes have instead fueled the illegal cigarette industry, leading to a $1.1 billion loss of taxes due to illegal cigarettes in 2012.<ref>((cite web|url=http://qz.com/130963/australia-lost-1-1-billion-because-of-illegal-cigarettes-last-year/%20|title=Australia (2/10/2013)|access-date=31 July 2017))((Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref>

In May 2016, it is estimated that possibly 14.3 percent of tobacco consumed in Australia was bought through the black market and the cost in loss of revenue earned from taxes each year was $1.4 billion.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/illegal-tobacco-industry-flourishing-in-australia-as-government-hikes-taxes/news-story/c1d28c0a1919d0fbcc499579a2386b28|title=Australia's flourishing illegal industry|newspaper=News.com.au|date=6 May 2016|access-date=10 April 2018|last1=Reynolds|first1=Emma))</ref>

===Belarus===
[[Belarus]] is characterized as "the main provider of contraband cigarettes in Europe".<ref name="fp">((Cite web|last=Hardie|first=John|title=To Get at Lukashenko, Punish His 'Moneybags'|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/07/lukashenko-ryanair-hijacking-sanctions-belarus-eu-biden-protasevich-moneybags/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Foreign Policy|date=7 June 2021 |language=en-US))</ref> In 2017, European Commissioner [[Günther Oettinger]] stated that nearly 10% of illicit cigarettes in the European Union originate from Belarus.<ref name="europarl">((Cite web |date=12 July 2017 |title=Cigarette smuggling and excise rates in Belarus |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2017-004683_EN.html |access-date=4 November 2021 |website=Parliamentary question, [[European Parliament]] |language=en))</ref> Lithuanian and Polish customs often report about big consignments of cigarettes found with other goods and stated that the smuggling is a serious problem.<ref name="euroradio">((Cite web|title=Belarusian tobacco contraband big problem for neighbors|url=https://euroradio.fm/en/belarusian-tobacco-contraband-big-problem-neighbors|access-date=2021-11-04|website=euroradio.fm|language=en))</ref><ref>((Cite web|title=Lithuania Reports Large-Scale Smuggling Of Cigarettes From Belarus|url=https://charter97.org/en/news/2021/2/8/410581/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=charter97.org|language=en))</ref> Customs in [[Latvia]] and [[Ukraine]] also reported about thousands of confiscated packs of cigarettes from Belarus but on a much smaller scale.<ref name=euroradio /> Besides European Union, another important destination of smuggling from Belarus is Russia.<ref name=euroradio /> It is assumed that smuggling is an important revenue generator for the regime of [[Alexander Lukashenko]].<ref name=fp /> [[Aliaksei Aleksin]], a businessman with close ties to Lukashenko, is called among the main alleged organizers of the smuggling industry.<ref name=fp /> Organized crime groups are also reported to be active in this industry.<ref>((Cite web|last=Michalopoulos|first=Sarantis|date=2017-02-13|title=Minsk under pressure to take action against 'illicit whites'|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/trade-society/news/minsk-under-pressure-to-take-action-against-illicit-whites/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=www.euractiv.com|language=en-GB))</ref> Local citizens are common among ordinary performers of smuggling who cross the Belarus-EU border by cars, trucks and trains.<ref name=transcrime>Francesco Calderoni, Anna Brener, Mariya Karayotova, Martina Rotondi, Mateja Zorč [https://www.transcrime.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Belarusian-Hub-for-Illicit-Tobacco.pdf The Belarusian Hub for Illicit Tobacco], ''transcrime.it''</ref> It is estimated that one truck can transport around 4 million packs of cigarettes.<ref name=transcrime /> Rafts with GPS tracking systems and low-flying drones are used occasionally.<ref name=transcrime />

The smugglers prefer to transport inexpensive Belarusian brands of cigarettes which enjoy much smaller excise rates in Belarus than higher-segment cigarettes.<ref name=euroradio /><ref name=europarl /> Significant amounts of Belarusian cigarettes produced by state-owned [[Grodno tobacco factory]] for local market (Minsk Capital, NZ, Fest and others)<ref name=bbc.bel /> were found not only in neighboring markets but also in distant countries having no borders with Belarus such as Ireland<ref>((Cite web|title=Revenue seize almost 3 million cigarettes worth €1.6 million in Kildare|url=https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/press-releases/2019/pr-040419-cigarettes-kildare.aspx|access-date=2021-11-04|website=www.revenue.ie|language=en))</ref><ref>((Cite web|last=McGlynn|first=Michelle|date=2021-06-17|title=Over €2.4m worth of tobacco seized at Dublin Port|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-40316543.html|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Irish Examiner|language=en))</ref> and UK.<ref name=bbc.bel /> It was estimated that 12% of cigarettes smuggled out of Belarus ended up in the UK.<ref name=bbc.bel />

Cigarettes in Belarus are several times cheaper than in the European Union.<ref name=euroradio /> In 2016, according to BBC, a pack of cigarettes bought in Belarus for c. 40p could be sold in the UK for £3.<ref name="bbc.bel">((Cite news|date=2016-12-01|title=The town in Belarus from where cigarettes are smuggled to the UK|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38170754|access-date=2021-11-04))</ref> In 2017, it was estimated that total losses of the member states of the EU due to smuggling from Belarus amounted to roughly EUR 1 billion every year.<ref name=europarl />

===Belgium===
The country is the host of several case of "white" smuggling mainly from Belgium to France / United Kingdom due of their lower taxes (which makes up to 50% less expensive).

However, local customs face cases of counterfeit cigarettes factories that are mainly meant to be exported to the United Kingdom. Seizes usually exceed 1 Ton worth of tobacco + machines + millions of cigarettes each time. The situation is lately raising up with the ongoing tax hikes. Cigarettes Manufacters are worried about the situation and expect that the trend only increase.

===Canada===
As of 2022, illegal cigarettes are an estimated 2 billion dollar plus industry in Canada.<ref>((Cite news |last=Contenta |first=Sandro |date=30 May 2010 |title=Cigarette smuggling rises in Canada |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/canada/091201/cigarettes-smuggling |work=[[GlobalPost]]))</ref> In Canada, between 63 and 79 percent of the price of a package of cigarettes is tax. Many border-goers take advantage of the situation, not only in Canada but also in the U.S., the land that has traditionally imported rather than exported illegal goods. Canadian provinces with lower tobacco taxes have reported higher rates of smuggling,<ref name="nsra-adnf.ca">((cite web |title=Tobacco Smuggling and Contraband |url=http://www.nsra-adnf.ca/cms/file/files/pdf/A_DEADLY_THREAT_TO_TAXATION.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913053903/http://www.nsra-adnf.ca/cms/file/files/pdf/A_DEADLY_THREAT_TO_TAXATION.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2014 |access-date=12 September 2014 |website=nsra-adnf.ca))</ref> and much of the smuggling is dominated by [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] members (though the bulk of First Nations members and leadership have opposed and condemned tobacco smuggling).<ref name="nsra-adnf.ca"/><ref>((cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=71072c7a-75d8-407a-a89d-7e54f01441b9&k=27250|title=How Canada's natives became cigarette smugglers|work=nationalpost.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140912233338/http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=71072c7a-75d8-407a-a89d-7e54f01441b9&k=27250|archive-date=2014-09-12))</ref>

===Hong Kong===

*Customs officers seized 1.3million illicit cigarettes (total market value of $3.3million with a duty potential of $2.2million) in electric water heaters in an industrial building.<ref>((cite web |date=15 August 2013 |title=2 arrested in illicit cigarette bust |url=http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/xwdt/xjlc/t1066427.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731232223/http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/xwdt/xjlc/t1066427.htm |archive-date=31 July 2017 |access-date=31 July 2017 |website=fmcoprc.gov.hk))</ref>
*Hong Kong Police arrest 1,200 suspects on charges ranging from drug trafficking, illegal possession of arms, drugs, and contraband cigarettes.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/28/hong-kong-police-target-triads|title=Hong Kong police target Pearl River triads|first=Florence de|last=Changy|date=28 August 2012|access-date=31 July 2017|newspaper=The Guardian))</ref>

===Indonesia===
Most illegal cigarette brands in Indonesia, if not all, often uses funny names and resembling those of existing cigarette brands, like ''Djaran Goyang'' (← [[Djarum]] Super), ''Magbul Premium'' (← Dji Sam Soe Magnum Filter, cf. animated series [[:id:Riska dan Si Gembul|''Riska dan Si Gembul'']]), ''Gudang Gabah'' (←[[Gudang Garam]]), ''Mildboro'' (← [[Marlboro]]), ''Men Doan'', ''SMD Bold'' (← Djarum Super MLD), and others.<ref>((cite web |date=1 December 2021 |title=Djaran Goyang-Magbul, Ini Merek Rokok Ilegal Dimusnahkan di Sukoharjo |trans-title=Djaran Goyang-Magbul, This is the Brand of Illegal Cigarettes Destroyed in Sukoharjo |url=https://www.solopos.com/djaran-goyang-magbul-ini-merek-rokok-ilegal-dimusnahkan-di-sukoharjo-1206802 |access-date=2 December 2021 |website=soloraya.solopos.com |language=Indonesian))</ref>

===Ireland===
In [[Ireland]] the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Irish Republican Army]] smuggled cigarettes to raise money for weapons and equipment.<ref name=atf/> It may be associated with other criminal activity, for example:
*9 million cigarettes with an estimated retail value of 4.3 million euros were seized when 4 men were caught transporting the shipment, which arrived at Dublin Port, from Malaysia. Police believe the cigarettes were destined for one of the country's largest smuggling gangs, which have also been involved in armed robberies and burglaries.<ref>((cite news |last=Lally |first=Conor |date=17 September 2013 |title=Cigarettes worth €4.3m seized at Louth service station |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/cigarettes-worth-4-3m-seized-at-louth-service-station-1.1530810%20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519083434/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/cigarettes-worth-4-3m-seized-at-louth-service-station-1.1530810 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |access-date=31 July 2017 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]))</ref>

In the [[Republic of Ireland]], cigarette prices are amongst the highest in the world due to heavy [[excise tax]]: typically €15 (US$12.70, [[Pound sterling|£]]9.70) for a pack of twenty. Because of this, a heavy incentive is created for smuggling from the [[European Union]] mainland, where the same pack can cost far less (e.g. Spain €5, or in Eastern Europe €3–€4).<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2017/07/05/where-can-you-find-the-cheapest-and-most-expensive-cigarettes-in-europe|title=Where can you find the cheapest and most expensive cigarettes in Europe?|date=5 July 2017))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/budget/revealed-the-countries-where-you-can-get-cigarettes-for-less-than-1-35127584.html|title=Revealed: The countries where you can get cigarettes for less than €1 - Independent.ie|date=13 October 2016 ))</ref> Larger operators can purchase a shipping container full of cigarettes in Asia for €300,000, selling the tobacco on for as much as €5 million.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/louth-man-wanted-in-uk-over-alleged-cigarette-smuggling-to-challenge-extradition-over-brexit-849622.html|title=Louth man wanted in UK over alleged cigarette smuggling to challenge extradition over Brexit|date=18 June 2018))</ref><ref>((cite web |last=Barry |first=Stephen |date=29 August 2017 |title=Call for increased resources to tackle tobacco smuggling |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/call-for-increased-resources-to-tackle-tobacco-smuggling-457886.html |website=[[Irish Examiner]]))</ref> Smuggled packs are sold for €4–€5, with Dublin's [[Moore Street]] a notorious site.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/some-230-000-illegal-cigarettes-among-tobacco-haul-in-dublin-1.3176228|title=Some 230,000 illegal cigarettes among tobacco haul in Dublin|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] ))</ref> Criminal gangs earn over €350 million a year from the trade, with one-quarter of tobacco smoked in Ireland being smuggled.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/authorities-fume-25-of-cigarettes-smuggled-into-republic-1.2297655|title=Authorities fume: 25% of cigarettes smuggled into Republic|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] ))</ref>

In 2012, 96 million cigarettes were seized by [[Revenue Commissioners]], dropping to 45 million in 2016. Higher security levels in airports have pushed criminals to using other methods to import tobacco, such as [[Roll-on/roll-off|car ferries]].<ref>((cite web |last=Duffy |first=Rónán |date=20 February 2017 |title=Black market cigarette smugglers 'avoiding airports' in search for new tactics |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/cigarette-smuggling-3240500-Feb2017/ |website=[[TheJournal.ie | The Journal]]))</ref><ref>((cite web |title=Tobacco smuggling |url=https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/assist-us/reporting-shadow-economy-activity/tobacco-smuggling.aspx |website=[[Revenue Commissioners]]))</ref>

===Jordan===
In August 2019, the Jordanian government tightened the customs regulations, citing the soaring smuggling of cigarettes to [[Syria]] for profit. The move gave rise to anti-government violence, where a clash erupted between the government and the protesters in the northern city of [[Ar-Ramtha]].<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.heraldsun.com/news/nation-world/world/article234364312.html|title=Jordan police, protesters clash over anti-smuggling efforts|access-date=25 August 2019|newspaper=The Herald Sun))</ref>

===Malaysia===

*Malaysia records RM1.9 billion loss to illegal cigarettes in 2012.<ref>((Cite news |last=Shaikh |first=Sameer Ahmed |date=1 October 2013 |title=RM2b in taxes lost to illicit cigarettes |url=https://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/rm2b-in-taxes-lost-to-illicit-cigarettes-font-color-red-exclusive-font-1.365906?localLinksEnabled=false%2FArticle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223508/https://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/rm2b-in-taxes-lost-to-illicit-cigarettes-font-color-red-exclusive-font-1.365906?localLinksEnabled=false%2FArticle |archive-date=4 October 2013 |work=[[New Straits Times]]))</ref>
*Locals at Lahad Datu help fuel demand for illicit goods through frequent purchase of illicit cigarettes from illegal immigrants in an open illegal goods flea market.<ref>((Cite news |date=19 March 2013 |title=LAHAD DATU: 'Locals a part of the problem' |url=http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/font-color-red-lahad-datu-font-locals-a-part-of-the-problem-1.237560 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424055726/http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/font-color-red-lahad-datu-font-locals-a-part-of-the-problem-1.237560 |archive-date=24 April 2013 |work=[[New Straits Times]]))</ref>

===Montenegro===
In the Former [[Yugoslavia]], [[Montenegro]] was known for being a haven for cigarette smuggling into [[Italy]].((Citation needed|date=January 2012))

===Palestine===

*16 Palestinian men arrested in a scheme that may have generated $55 million in revenue from selling illicit cigarettes.<ref>((cite web |author=Brittany Brady |date=17 May 2013 |title=NY cigarette-smuggling ring may have terror link |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/17/us/new-york-cigarette-ring/index.html |access-date=31 July 2017 |website=CNN))</ref>

===Paraguay===
Due to discrepancies in the [[Tobacco smoking#Taxation|cigarette tax rate]] between [[Brazil]] and [[Paraguay]] (16% in Paraguay vs. 80% in Brazil), large quantities of cigarettes are smuggled into Brazil via [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]].<ref name="InsightBrazil">((cite news |url=http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/report-breaks-down-paraguay-brazil-cigarette-smuggling-trail |publisher=[[InSight Crime]] |title=Report Breaks Down Paraguay to Brazil Cigarette Smuggling Trail |first=James |last=Bargent |date=August 22, 2017))</ref> Journalists have alleged that the Tabacalera Del Este factory owned by relatives of Paraguayan President [[Horacio Cartes]], in responsible for producing cigarettes for the purpose of being smuggled into Brazil via [[Ciudad del Este]].<ref name="InsightBrazil"/><ref>((cite news |url=http://www.clicrbs.com.br/sites/swf/dc_nos_95_fumaca_do_crime/phone/index.html |title=Munição do crime |language=es |first=Pedro |last=Rockenbach |publisher=Nós))</ref>

Contraband cigarettes from Paraguay are also widespread in Argentina and Chile.

===Spain===

*16,500&nbsp;kg (worth 2 million Euros) of shredded tobacco was seized at an illegal cigarette factory located in an abandoned building in an industrial park.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/06/21/inenglish/1371819172_716255.html|title=Police bust illegal cigarette factory|first=F. Javier|last=Barroso|date=21 June 2013|access-date=31 July 2017|newspaper=El País))</ref>

===Ukraine===
A 700-meters smuggling tunnel with a narrow gauge railway was revealed in July 2012 between [[Uzhhorod]] ([[Ukraine]]) and [[Vyšné Nemecké]] ([[Slovakia]]), at the border of the [[Schengen Area]]. The tunnel used professional mining and security technologies. It was used primarily for smuggling of cigarettes.<ref>((Cite news |date=19 July 2012 |title=Slovaks find railway smuggling tunnel to Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-slovakia-ukraine-tunnel-idUSBRE86I0ZO20120719 |newspaper=[[Reuters]] |agency=))</ref>

===United Kingdom===
Belarus is believed to be one of the main sources of cigarettes smuggled to the United Kingdom.<ref>((Cite web |last=Milmo |first=Cahal |date=31 May 2021 |title=Britain's biggest tobacco firm facing questions over links to state-owned factory in Belarus |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/britains-biggest-tobacco-firm-questions-over-links-factory-belarus-1027351 |access-date=4 November 2021 |website=[[i (newspaper) | inews.co.uk]] |language=en))</ref> It was estimated that in 2015, 610 million cigarettes produced in Belarus were smuggled to the United Kingdom and illegally sold there.<ref name=bbc.bel />

An example:
* Haul of illegal tobacco and cigarettes with a shop value of £415,000 seized from 10 storage units in [[Derby]].<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/06/cigarette-smuggling-uk-organised-crime|title=Gangsters prey on young women to smuggle cigarettes|first1=Mark|last1=Townsend|first2=Tracy|last2=McVeigh|date=5 September 2009|access-date=31 July 2017|newspaper=The Guardian))</ref>

===United States===
In the [[United States]], each of the fifty states taxes cigarette packs at a different rate. In 1992, states charged an average of 25 cents. By January 2002, that average increased to 45 cents. Six months later, states, trying to compensate for [[budget deficit]]s, raised their cigarette taxes to an average 54 cents. According to John D'Angelo of the U.S. government's [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms]] (ATF), there is a "direct relationship between the increase in a state's tax and an increase in illegal trafficking". This is true with all psychotropic substances and, indeed, all forms of vice that may be desirable to individuals: the more the state or even the national government tries to repress the trade in any legal or illegal substance, the higher the prices, and with them the profit margins, become—and the greater the willingness of illicit marketers to meet the demand, and with it the willingness to commit other violent crimes to prevent the closure of the illicit markets, becomes. This is known as "the forbidden-fruit effect", among other references.((Citation needed|date=October 2013)) The U.S. government foiled funding operations by [[Al-Qaeda]] in [[New York (state)|New York]] in 1999 and [[Hezbollah]] in [[North Carolina]] in 2002.<ref name=atf/>

It has been reported that smuggling one truckload of cigarettes within the United States can lead to a profit of US$2 million.<ref>((Cite news |last=Horwitz |first=Sari |date=8 June 2004 |title=Cigarette Smuggling Linked to Terrorism |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23384-2004Jun7.html |work=[[The Washington Post]]))</ref>

Laws specifically pertaining to cigarette smuggling in the United States have included the '''Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act of 1978''', which makes cigarette smuggling a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.((citation needed|date=April 2015))

One of the most notable places of cigarette smuggling in the United States is New York City. There, the cigarette tax is the second highest in the nation, at $6.86 per pack (federal, state, and municipal). Smugglers purchase cigarettes in other lower-tax states, such as nearby [[Pennsylvania]], where the tax rate is only $3.61 per pack.  If smugglers travel further to even lower-tax states, they can buy cigarettes for even less, such as [[Virginia]], where the tax is only $0.30 per pack. As stated above, [[Interstate 95]], since [[New York (state)|New York]] is one of the states through which it runs, became a favorite route for cigarette smuggling((When|date=September 2018)) and drew the informal nickname of "'''New Tobacco Road'''" from the practice.

Increases in illicit cigarette seizures can follow increases in cigarette tax.<ref>((cite web|url=http://abc7chicago.com/archive/9011733/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Huge illegal cigarette bust in Cook Co.|first=Eric|last=Horng|website=ABC7 Chicago|access-date=31 July 2017))</ref> The government of Massachusetts banned the sale of menthol cigarettes which has resulted in illicit interstate importation and sales.<ref>((Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Illegal smuggling of flavored vapes and menthol cigarettes into Massachusetts is on the rise, says new report |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2022/03/03/illegal-smuggling-of-flavored-vapes-and-menthol-cigarettes-into-massachusetts-is-on-the-rise-says-new-report |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=GBH News |language=en))</ref>

== Anti-illicit trade ==
'''World Health Organization (WHO)''' – the [[Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products]] is a [[multilateral treaty]] aimed at combating the illicit trade in tobacco products through controlling supply chain and international cooperation. Parties commit to establishing tracking and tracing system to reduce, with aims to eradicate, illicit trade. The Protocol has been signed by representatives of all 6 WHO regions.<ref>((Cite web|title=WHO ((!)) Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products opened for signature|url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/fctc_20130110/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114220156/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/fctc_20130110/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 14, 2013|access-date=2021-11-04|website=WHO))</ref>

'''Get Some Answers (United Kingdom)''' – a website created by The North England Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health Programme, aims to inform and increase awareness of illegal tobacco, its impact, and consequences. The website provides forums for discussion, link to Crime Stoppers to share information, and link to [[National Health Service]] (NHS) for individuals who want to quit smoking.<ref>((Cite web|last=Dimension|first=Interactive|title=Home|url=http://keep-it-out.co.uk/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Keep It Out|language=en-US))</ref>

'''Retailers Against Smuggling (Ireland)''' – This body was established in 2009 by Irish retailers to fight against illicit tobacco trade through raising awareness about the effects of illicit tobacco on retailers, liaising with relevant law enforcement authorities, and campaigning for legislative reform and extra law enforcement resources.<ref>((Cite web|title=Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) - Homepage|url=https://www.retailersagainstsmuggling.ie/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=RAS|language=en-GB))</ref>

'''Contraband Enforcement Strategy (Canada)''' – The [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] aims to nationally reduce the availability of, and decrease the demand for contraband tobacco through working with youth to prevent involvement in crimes as an offender or victim. This published report prioritises reducing the threat of criminal terrorist activity in Canada through effectively addressing contraband activities, disrupting organized crime groups, and enhancing intelligence gathering and sharing<ref>((Cite web|date=2009-11-24|title=2008 Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy|url=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/tobac-tabac/tobacco-tabac-strat-2008-eng.htm|access-date=2021-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124041849/http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/tobac-tabac/tobacco-tabac-strat-2008-eng.htm|archive-date=2009-11-24))</ref>

'''Rokok Tak Sah (Malaysia)''' – Launched by [[Royal Malaysian Customs Department|Royal Malaysian Customs]], this campaign is aimed at educating retailers and the public about the penalties of buying and selling illicit cigarettes. Brochures and newspaper advertisements were deployed to raise awareness of how to identify illegal cigarettes. Customs officers also increased enforcement efforts to seize illegal cigarettes and fine retailers facilitating sales to the public.<ref>http://www.customs.gov.my/</ref>

'''Don't Get Burnt (Singapore)''' – This campaign by [[Singapore Customs]] seeks to warn the public about the dangers and stiff penalties for activities involving illicit tobacco trade. The campaign encourages citizens to report illegal activities and educates the public about identifying illegal cigarettes through: radio networks, cable television, outdoor and print advertisements, roadshows and community engagement. Efforts resulted in a 30.4% decrease in the number of illegal cigarette buyers caught.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.customs.gov.sg/insync/Issue10/spreadingthemessage.html |title=Singapore Customs Newsletter - Issue 10 |website=www.customs.gov.sg |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923051920/http://www.customs.gov.sg/insync/Issue10/spreadingthemessage.html |archive-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead))</ref>

'''Hong Kong United Against Illicit Tobacco (2013)''' – This movement aims to consolidate opposition to illicit trade, educate the public to move the issue up the government's priority list, and sell the public on the idea that illicit tobacco only benefits criminals.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.stopit.hk/?page_id=2&lang=en|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925063203/http://www.stopit.hk/?page_id=2&lang=en|archive-date = 2013-09-25|title = HKUAIT - Subpage Template))</ref>

'''Stop Illegal Cigarettes (South Africa)''' – This campaign, backed by the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa, comprises tobacco industries working together to tackle illegal cigarette trade among retailers and increasing consumer awareness.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.stopillegalcigarettes.co.za/campaign |title=Stop illegal cigarettes &#124; Campaign |website=www.stopillegalcigarettes.co.za |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926225752/http://www.stopillegalcigarettes.co.za/campaign |archive-date=26 September 2013 |url-status=dead))</ref>

'''Trusted Trade Network (UK)''' – This network has been designed to rid the world of counterfeit and illicit goods through multi-stage authentication measures, working from the company straight to the consumer.

==See also==
*[[Chop chop (tobacco)]]
*[[Human trafficking]]
*[[Illegal drug trade]]
*[[Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products]], articles 8-13
*[[Rum-running]]

== References ==
((Reflist))

==External links==
((Commons category|Cigarette smuggling))

*[http://www.havocscope.com/tag/cigarette-smuggling/ Database of Cigarette Smuggling Activities around the world]

((Cigarettes))
((Authority control))

[[Category:Cigarettes]]
[[Category:Tobacco control]]
[[Category:Trade by commodity]]
[[Category:Organized crime activity]]
[[Category:Smuggling]]
[[Category:Organized crime]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Illicit cigarette trade (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Authority control (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Cigarettes (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Citation needed (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite news (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Commons category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:DMCA (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (articles) (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dead link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Delink (view source) (protected)
Template:Essay-like (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:FULLROOTPAGENAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Icon (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Multiple issues (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Multiple issues/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Plainlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Preview warning (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Replace (view source) (protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sister project (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:When (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Authority control (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Authority control/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Delink (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:EditAtWikidata (view source) (protected)
Module:Find sources (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/templates/Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Icon (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Icon/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If preview (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If preview/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If preview/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Side box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/nolinks (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/titleformats (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to Illicit cigarette trade.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicit_cigarette_trade"