ILLICIT TOBACCO TRADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION 2017-2019

Overview

This document provides a compilation of the key conclusions of the study visits conducted at national customs authorities in the context of the implementation of Illicit tobacco trade in the European Union 2017 – 2019 by the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC (Convention Secretariat) with the financial assistance of the European Union.

In line with the requirements of the project, study visits to national customs administrations were organized in 10 of the project target countries. The study visits contribute to the general objectives of the project as well as the specific objective of increasing the academic researchers’ understanding of the threat posed by illicit tobacco trade and the practical challenges faced by law enforcement authorities in combatting it.

Study visits were organized at the seat of the customs authority of the following countries, which were engaged with and agreed to host a visit: Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden.