Combatting Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products: In Search of Optimal Enforcement

This book explores the enforcement of tobacco control policies and argues that illicit tobacco products can undermine market regulation. It analyzes the legal framework and practices in six EU countries and the EU's relationship with third countries to counter illicit tobacco trafficking. The EU Member States analyzed vary in their approaches and challenges, including border situations and experience in fighting organized crime.

Format: Hardback
Length: 593 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the enforcement aspect of tobacco control policy, contending that the rigorous regulation of the tobacco market will remain unsuccessful as long as illicit tobacco products remain readily accessible. Despite ongoing efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade, current strategies fall short, plagued by numerous flaws and gaps at both the regulatory and operational levels. The primary objective of this book is to offer a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework and practices related to the enforcement of illicit tobacco products. By integrating criminological and legal perspectives, it presents and critically examines the phenomenon of illicit tobacco trade, as well as the policies, legal frameworks, and practices in six EU countries, specifically Belgium, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Poland, with regard to combating this issue. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between the EU and third countries, such as Ukraine, in terms of how the EU can exert influence on policy and enforcement in these countries to counter illicit tobacco trafficking. While the focus of the book is primarily on the EU, it also includes an analysis of enforcement against illicit tobacco products in the United States. The EU Member States analyzed in the book represent a diverse range of approaches, with some having ratified the WHO Protocol against tobacco smuggling, while others have not. These Member States hail from different legal traditions and face distinct challenges due to their respective border situations. While Belgium and the Netherlands serve as key entry ports into the EU, Poland and Latvia represent the Eastern land border of the EU, with various regional challenges. Italy, with its long maritime border, poses opportunities for trafficking from Northern Africa and other regions.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of tobacco control by examining the enforcement challenges and opportunities related to illicit tobacco products. It sheds light on the legal frameworks and practices in different EU countries and highlights the relationship between the EU and third countries in combating illicit tobacco trafficking. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, the book offers insights into effective strategies for enforcing tobacco control policies and promoting public health.

Weight: 1063g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030678012
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022