The majority of illegally imported cigarettes come from Bulgaria (45.4 %), followed by Luxembourg (14.7 %) and Turkey (7.8 %). Significant cargoes also arrive from Romania, Morocco and Albania.
Structured criminal networks
The fact that many of these countries are not popular tourist destinations suggests structured criminal networks, capable of meeting the growing demand for cheaper cigarettes.
The price of a pack of 20 cigarettes jumped from € 6.39 to € 10.57 in a few years, an increase of 65.4 %. A fiscal strategy which aimed to discourage consumption, but which seems to have had the effect of redirecting smokers towards illegal circuits.
“As long as the excisees increase drastically, criminal organizations have a boulevard in front of them”
Counterfeits, in particular, are sold to a third of the official price, strengthening their attractiveness. Long intended for the British and Irish market, they now also circulate in Belgium.
Belgian customs services are increasing record entries, but Cimabel estimates that their efforts remain insufficient in the face of a tax policy deemed counterproductive.
“As long as the excisees increase drastically, criminal organizations have a boulevard before them,” warns the federation, which calls on the government to review its strategy. It also criticizes restrictions on alternatives such as vaping or nicotine sachets, accused of pushing consumers even more to the black market.
No more exposing cigarette packs in small shops: “We always attack the same”
For Cimabel, the continuous increase in taxes does not reach its objective of reducing smoking. On the contrary, it deprives the state of tax revenue and feeds illegal networks. And to call on the politician to submit the debate on the taxation of tobacco on the table in the coming months under penalty of seeing illegal trade and counterfeiting to continue its irreducible growth.