The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has stressed the importance of combating new tobacco products such as vapes and heated tobacco, which pose a threat to public health, taxation, and the rule of law.
On October 10, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) held its annual OLAF Cigarette Conference in Dublin. Ireland, on October 8-10, in collaboration with the Irish tax authorities.
The aim of the conference is to build a stronger, more stable, and coordinated international effort to combat the illicit cigarette trade, thereby protecting public health, protecting revenues, and disrupting illicit networks involved in smuggling.
More than 90 key stakeholders, including representatives of customs and national police authorities, the World Customs Organization. EU member states and third countries. EUROPOL and industry representatives attended the conference.
At the meeting. OLAF presented an overview of the development of hookah and new tobacco products, including cigarette packs, heated cigarette products, and vapes. The agency said the illicit tobacco trade poses a major threat to public health, depriving the EU and its member states of significant tax revenue and facilitating the activities of organized criminal networks. It undermines anti-smoking and public health campaigns and contravenes the strict regulations of the EU and its member States on production, distribution, and sale. In 2023, OLAF harvested 616 million illicit tobacco, 140 tonnes of raw tobacco, and 6 tonnes of hookah in its global operations, saving the EU an estimated 150 million euros in lost revenue.
