Eradicating illicit trade requires a global solution. Philip Morris International is taking a leading role in this fight. The STOP ILLEGAL blog is shedding light on all aspects of this problem, and provides insights from experts around the world.
KPMG report finds European illicit cigarette market continues to grow despite overall decline in consumption
Criminal networks have been notoriously effective at taking advantage of this, smuggling illicit goods across these borders while evading customs controls.
The impact of illicit trade in Latin America is vast. In some markets, between 70 percent and 80 percent of some consumer goods are sold on the black market.
Between 400 and 460 billion cigarettes are sold illegally each year. This illicit trade annually costs taxpayers and governments between USD 40 billion and USD 50 billion.