Illicit cigarette trade

Cigarettes are among the most illegally trafficked goods in the world. 

There are three main categories of illicit tobacco products: 

• contraband: genuine products that are smuggled and sold illegally
  
• counterfeit: copies of genuine products that are produced and sold illegally
  
• illicit whites: tobacco products that are legally produced in one country with the sole intention of selling them in another country 
  

Illegal tobacco trade is a global issue. We are working with governments and other partners in the public and private sectors to address this problem. Read more about how we’re fighting illicit trade.