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According to the research of the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, in 2019, 10.7 percent. all cigarettes smoked were illegal. According to the inspection data of the last pack of cigarettes bought, 9.7 percent. the packages were illegal.
“The forecasts were very diverse, on the other hand the forecasts of the dominant illegal cigarettes coming from neighboring countries were known, but the scale and the quantities were interesting to see because it was statistically new,” said Renaldas Čiužas, head of the department. .
“The study is usually done for the first time and is independent, as tobacco manufacturers usually commission the research on their own and did not always assume clear information and there are interests that could affect the study results,” he added.
Illegal tobacco products were reported by residents of urban and rural areas with less education and lower income, who were 45 years old or older, with a lower level of education. Men, the elderly, the less educated, the lower income and smokers in urban and rural areas smoked more illegal cigarettes than smoked more.
38.5 percent of smokers surveyed viewed the purchase and use of illegal tobacco products negatively, but said they understood why people behaved in this way.
When collecting empty cigarette packs, it was found that 31.5 percent. The packages found in 2006 were neither accounted for nor destined for the Lithuanian market. Most of them were found in Panevėžys and Vilnius counties, the least in Tauragė, Telšiai and Klaipėda counties.
More unaccounted for parcels were found in Lithuanian border municipalities. Most of them (81.8%) belonged to the Premier, Minsk, Fest and NZ brands produced by the Neman Grodno tobacco factory.
According to R. Čiužas, in order to reduce the consumption of illegal cigarettes, it is first necessary to pay attention to education and an understanding of the damage to both the health and the economy of the country.
“Naturally, our department has an interest in people smoking as little as possible and being healthier, but if they already smoke, maybe at least they smoke cigarettes that are imported legally because it pays taxes and the state supports a health system that helps those who so smoking has certain diseases. This is the circle and it turns like this, ”said R. Čiužas.
The prime minister’s adviser, Kęstutis Lančinskas, said concrete measures will be discussed in the Government’s Shadow Reduction Commission, but more important is public participation.
“There are complex measures: law enforcement does its job, the Fiscal Inspection does its job, health institutions do their thing, and clearly it is very important to educate and inform the public about it, promote intolerance to shadows and shadows. smuggled goods, promote a healthy lifestyle, “said BNS. K. Lančinskas.
A total close to 6 thousand. packages collected in 30 cities and 35 campuses in Lithuania. The data from this study is further analyzed by researchers in collaboration with foreign experts. The objective is to evaluate the potential impact of the survey on the results of the study by tourists, shopping in duty-free stores, buying in other countries where tobacco products are cheaper.
The survey was conducted in August-September 2019, using two methods: a packet survey interviewing smokers and a survey of empty cigarette packs. In the first study, researchers interviewed more than 1,000 smokers, asking respondents to show the last pack of cigarettes they bought, or at least describe it.
It is emphasized that the market share of unaccounted for tobacco products can only be estimated.
According to the European Anti-Fraud Office, illegal trade costs the Member States of the European Union more than 10 billion euros a year. income in euros.
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