Annual OLAF Tobacco Conference in Dublin: Fighting Illegal Trade.

Oct.12.2024
Annual OLAF Tobacco Conference in Dublin: Fighting Illegal Trade.
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.


Notice

1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.

2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.

Copyright

This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.

This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.