Illegal tobacco Illicit trade of tobacco products is a phenomenon that threatens public health, national economies and urges the cooperation of all relevant parties on the fight against it. 00:00 00:00 Illegal cigarettes: Who pays the price? Tobacco is one of the most extensively smuggled legal substances in the world, funding an underworld of organised crime. Watch in higher quality on YouTube Download transcript (PDF 55Kb) A global problem Illicit trade is one of the most threatening economic problems worldwide. Some research indicates that up to 600 billion cigarettes a year are illegal, which represents approximately 12% of world consumption. Cigarettes are among the most commonly traded products on the black market due to high profit margins, relative ease of production and movement and relatively low detection rates and penalties. The illegal market of tobacco products does not only constitute a threat for tobacco companies but also for governments that miss out on tax revenues, legitimate retailers that lose income and consumers who are confronted with unregulated products, only at the benefit of criminals. Illicit trade: not a victimless crime Tobacco is one of the most extensively smuggled legal substances in the world, funding an underworld of organised crime. About us Our products Responsible marketing Regulation Illegal tobacco Sustainability The health risks of smoking Media Careers Search Contact us Worldwide Home Illegal tobacco Explore our world British American Tobacco is one of the world’s most international businesses and many of its Group companies have their own websites. Careers Your difference could make all the difference. Visit the bat-careers website to find out more about what it's like to work with us and search and apply for jobs. www.bat-careers.com Contact us +31 (0)20 540 69 11 British American Tobacco Nederland B.V. Handelsweg 53 A 1181 ZA Amstelveen Postbus 246 1180 AE Amstelveen © British American Tobacco Benelux Accessibility Conditions of use Privacy policy Cookie policy Site map