Brussels, 02/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - A conference headed by Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, Belgium), on, “The tobacco trade and its consequences for low and middle income countries” took place on 1 February at the European Parliament. This conference brought together Luk Joossens, a member of the European Anti-Cancer Association, Michael Anibueze, a doctor and member of the Nigerian Federal Department of Health, Austin Rowan, leader of Task Group Cigarettes operations at the European Commission anti-fraud office (OLAF) and Ian Willmore (Framework Convention Alliance).
Following the agreement signed between the European Commission, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Philip Morris International, the EU sought to once again demonstrate the importance of preventing the illegal trade in cigarettes due to the enormous repercussions on the economy. Luk Joossens highlighted the illegal tobacco market in African countries, particularly in Guinea-Bissau and Mali where more than 80% of tobacco consumed comes from the illegal market. According to Joossens, the effects of illegal trade are massive. In the financial arena, it “steals” taxes that should go to governments and in the health domain tobacco consumption kills more than 5 million people every year. He warned that governments had everything to gain by putting an end to this illegal trade, which he estimated as being worth $31 billion.
Michael Anibueze also highlighted the African continent and said that preventing this kind of trade is very important for, “promoting public health, protecting public revenues and fighting organised crime”. One of the many problems caused by the illegal trade is that tobacco is easily becoming available to “vulnerable” people, such as children, at very low prices. In 2007, 600 billion cigarettes came from illegal trade. Dr Anibueze stated that 80% of cigarettes in north and west Africa come from illicit sources. He also highlighted other problems: duty-free shops, the illegal manufacture of cigarettes, the lack of appropriate regulation and even infrastructure. He underlined their illegal tobacco “root” from Asia (the exam in China) and even Europe (Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Greece) stretching to the west and north of Africa via countries such as Dubai. He described this illegal trade as a “global phenomenon”, which required, “ national and international action, as well as international cooperation and collaboration”.
Michael Anibueze concluded by calling for “tough sentences” for those taking part in the illegal trade.
Austin Rowan mentioned the “Miami case”, which involved many countries in the world, including Ireland, the US and France. In 2002, six containers, containing falsified loading bills, were seized by Irish customs. These containers had been changed at every stage of their worldwide route in an attempt to prevent detection by the authorities. The fact that this traffic was dismantled proves that the authorities have to be increasingly vigilant in the area of illegal trade where ever it arises. (V.L.B)