European Union
A new report says that some 53 billion illegal cigarettes were consumed in member states last year. It also says that as a result of the illegal trade, national governments are losing up to €11.3 billion (US$12.7 billion) in revenues and that 88% of illegal cigarettes now come from non-EU countries. The report claims that illicit cigarettes account for 1 in every 10 cigarettes consumed in Europe.
The study, which covers the 28 member states, as well as Switzerland and Norway, says that the illegal cigarette market in the EU accounts for around 10% of total consumption.