In Lithuania, the illegal tobacco market is growing again – nearly 100 million people have not been collected in the state budget. euros

Researchers analyzed the market of 38 European countries revealed that in 2024 the budgets of the states lost 19.4 billion. EUR 14.9 billion of the European Union countries. euros. According to experts, the latter amount is equivalent to the EU security and defense budget of 2021-2027.

Last year, a total of $ 52.2 billion was consumed in Europe and $ 38.9 billion in the European Union. units of illegal smokers, in the latter 10.8 percent. more compared to 2023.

In Lithuania, the situation is getting worse

The worst trends are recorded in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where the illegal smokers’ market, respectively, reached 38 %, 32 %. and 26 percent. Following Lithuania and Finland, where the illegal tobacco market has increased by almost 20 percent over the years.

Photo by partner

The findings of the Global World Services Network KPMG state that deteriorating trends are also determined by the stricter policy of prohibitions and taxation, which promotes crime and smuggling.

The Netherlands were particularly stuck in the shadow a year, where the use of illegal tobacco products increased by more than 10 percent due to tax environmental changes. points – most of all 38 European countries studied. It is estimated that illegal products make up 17.9 percent. of all cigarettes smoked in the Netherlands.

Comparison, Last year, Last year, 0.51 billion was consumed. illegal cigarettes, which accounted for 19.5 percent. All markets. It is estimated that the consumption of illegal products in Lithuania increased by 2.2 % per year. in Latvia, 4.5 PP, in Poland – 0.7 PP and Estonia decreased by 4.2 PP totaling 18 % in Latvia, in Estonia by 7 % and Poland by 4 percent.

In Latvia, the scale of underground production surprised the researchers

In an interview with law enforcement agencies, another trend in Europe revealed the underground production of illegal cigarettes. According to KPMG, $ 472.6 billion was discovered in Europe during law enforcement raids in 2024. cigarettes made in illegal factories.

The maximum average amount of illegal cigarettes found in surgery was recorded in Latvia – 114.1 million. units. The second in this indicator was France, an average of $ 47.8 million. fake cigarettes found during a raid. In total, information about 95 officers’ operations was evaluated during the investigation.

Photo by partner

It is noteworthy that less was organized last year than the year before, but almost twice as many cigarettes were found in 2023, when almost $ 240 billion was confiscated from illegal manufacturers. cigarettes. According to the study, tobacco forgets make up about 42 percent. of all illegal cigarettes in Europe.

The attention of the criminals attracted the smuggling of heating tobacco

At that time, Lithuania remains cigarette smuggling from Belarus. It is estimated that last year it reached Lithuania from Belarus for LTL 0.44 billion. units of illegal smokers. Most of the part. These products from Lithuania penetrated further into Europe – mostly Poland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands.

According to experts, the directions of illegal cigarette transit show that well -organized international criminal groups are operating in this area, which are rapidly lobby and use the money received to organize other crimes.

However, in the annual study, it is first recorded that not only cigarettes but also heating tobacco are gaining attention to the attention of criminals. And Lithuania found itself among 10 European countries, where this trend is most prominent.

According to law enforcement officials, this area is primarily dominated by virtual illegal channels that cover social networks and other platforms, aggravating law enforcement efforts to curb criminal activities.

Although the illegal flow (0.4 billion) of alternative, less harmful tobacco products does not yet make up all the products consumed by this species, heating tobacco products may be increasingly in the hands of illegal traders and smugglers.

Photo by partner

The flow of illegal smokers is pounding efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking

Christos Harpantidis, PMI senior vice president responsible for external affairs, has noted that illegal trade in tobacco products threatens the European economy, public health, security and social stability.

« And today we see that higher taxes and higher prices, such as France and the Netherlands, are simply drowning in the flow of fake, illegally imported goods, » said Ch. Harpantidis. According to him, unreasonable political solutions have a negative impact on tax collection, job creation and honest business that is the engine of European economies.

« Political makers need to see and understand mistakes that are made by regulating the market of the Nen -Products and encourage the influx of illegal cigarettes. Major errors – the market distorting taxation and extreme control measures, such as prohibitions. Also – insufficient involvement of law enforcement and too poor resources to prevent criminal offenses. »

Annual Studio for illegal cigarettes on the market 2024. Evaluated by KPMG by commissioned by Philip Morris International. Experts analyzed the situation in the markets of 38 European countries. More about investigation and situation in each country can be found here (English).