Annual OLAF Tobacco Conference in Dublin: Fighting Illegal Trade.

Oct.12.2024

OLAF and Irish authorities collaborate at annual tobacco conference in Dublin to combat illegal trade and protect public health.

On October 10th, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) collaborated with the Irish Revenue and Customs Department to host the annual OLAF Tobacco Conference in Dublin, Ireland from October 8th to 10th.

The organization emphasized that the goal of this meeting is to establish stronger, more stable, and better coordinated international efforts to combat illegal tobacco trade, in order to protect public health, safeguard incomes, and disrupt illegal networks involved in smuggling activities.

Representatives from customs and national police agencies of EU member states and third countries, the World Customs Organization, Europol, and industry stakeholders, among over 90 key stakeholders, participated in this meeting.

OLAF presented an overview of the development of waterpipes and new tobacco products at the meeting, including tobacco pouches, heated tobacco products, and e-cigarettes. The agency stated that illegal tobacco trade poses a significant threat to public health, causing the EU and its member states to lose a large amount of tax revenue and fueling the activities of organized crime networks. It undermines anti-smoking and public health initiatives, and violates the strict regulations of the EU and its member states on production, distribution, and sales. In 2023, OLAF seized 616 million illegal cigarettes, 140 tons of raw tobacco, and 6 tons of waterpipe tobacco in international operations, recovering approximately 150 million euros in revenue losses for the EU.

References:

[1] OLAF and partners strengthen efforts against tobacco smuggling

Also Read:

[1] EU Approves France's Ban on Disposable e-Cigarettes in 2023

[2] EU Calls for Expanded Smoking Ban in Outdoor Areas

[3] EU Tobacco Control Facing Challenges: Smoking Rate Decline Not Meeting Expectations

[4] EU Health Ministers Discuss Proposal to Restrict Nicotine Product Flavors

[5] Poland to Ban E-cigarette Sales Starting from 2025

[6] Controversy over EU Cigarette Purchase Restrictions Lifted in France

[7] Interview with NNPA.EU: EU Nicotine Pouch Users on the Rise, Market Projected to Reach €2.1 Billion

[8] EVO NXT | EU Nicotine Pouch Market: 1:2 Ratio of Online and Traditional Channels

[9] EVO NXT | EU Nicotine Pouch Market Share Exceeds €900 Million with Over 100,000 Sales Points

#Europe #Traditional tobacco #Ireland #Customs

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