Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 

Smugglers Sell One in 10 Cigarettes Worldwide
July 11, 2007

Share Share Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Cigarette smuggling accounts for 10.7 percent of global tobacco sales, or 600 billion cigarettes annually, according to the Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control, a group dedicated to enforcing the United Nations' international tobacco-control treaty.

The Associated Press reported July 3 that experts estimate that smuggling costs governments more than $40 billion in lost revenue each year and contribute to many tobacco-related deaths. "Smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes are sold at lower prices than legal products, contributing to higher consumption and greater rates of smoking-related illness and death," said Luk Joossens, senior policy adviser for the alliance.

"Tobacco products are the single largest illegally trafficked legal product on the planet," said Damon Moglen, vice president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "The connections between smuggling and organized crime, potentially terrorism and money laundering, are vast."

North Korea is a leading producer of counterfeit cigarettes.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)

Enter this word
(help):
Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.

  2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.