The effect of price on cigarette consumption, distribution, and sale in Tehran: a qualitative study

Background Appropriate increases in tobacco taxes and prices are an essential component of comprehensive tobacco control strategies. This study investigates factors related to the use, sale, and distribution of cigarettes in Iran, focusing on the relationship between cigarette price and its consumption. Methods This interview-based qualitative study was conducted among 20 participants, including cigarette smokers, retail shop owners, large-scale distributors, and an expert in tobacco control research. Results Seven themes were extracted from participant interviews, including the type and price of cigarette, the best time to sell cigarettes, profits from the sale of cigarette, affordability, rise in cigarette price and smokers’ reaction to it, lobbying and black-market sales of cigarettes, and the sale and distribution of cigarettes across the country. Although the price of cigarettes in Iran has shown some increases in the past decade, the timing of these increases are not predictable and the limited amount of these increases has not reduced the use of cigarettes. Following a price increase, consumers are more likely to switch from buying packets to single cigarettes, or buy a less expensive brand, then to quit. Moreover, increases in prices may encourage smokers and sellers to buy a large number of cigarettes and store them for a rainy day. Another adverse effect may be increased smuggling of illicit cigarettes to balance the pressure caused by rising prices. Conclusions Our findings highlight two important aspects concerning cigarette pricing in Iran. First is the change in the type of purchase from the whole box of cigarettes to the single stick cigarette or swapping to less expensive cigarettes. Second, increase in cigarette price (either through taxing or regular increases) could be offset by flooding smuggled cigarettes into the market. Therefore, in addition to raising cigarette prices, reducing cigarette consumption rates in Iran requires the development and effective implementation of regulatory policies to control cigarette smuggling, reduce purchasing, and subsequently curb the use of this leading cause of premature morbidity and mortality.

Cigarette Ssmuggling and Corruption in Ukraine: Current Challenges and New Trends

Considering the current problems associated with cigarette smuggling, the authors of the article highlight new challenges that arise in connection with the growing volume of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes smuggled to the European Union (EU) from Ukraine. One of the main reasons behind this trend is the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine, which exacerbates the economic situation, accompanied by an increase in unemployment due to the destruction of production capacities and infrastructure, the breakdown of economic and social ties between different parts of Ukraine, and the weakening of the financial, banking, transportation, and communication systems. Conflict and widespread corruption in public and law enforcement agencies are creating new challenges related to the current crisis of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes of Ukrainian origin. These challenges require the Ukrainian government to implement new measures to combat cigarette smuggling. In this regard, the authors of the article pay special attention to various anti-smuggling measures, including increasing excise taxes, anti-corruption programs, and cooperation with European customs and law enforcement authorities. It is noted that the initiatives of the State Border Guard Service and the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine to combat smuggling are hampered by the continuing instability and lack of resources. This poses obvious challenges in strengthening the necessary infrastructure to continue the fight against cigarette smuggling. Obviously, successful anti-smuggling programs will require additional funding, human resources and technical support from the relevant authorities, as well as greater integrity among their staff. The article indicates that until the negative socio-economic consequences of the current crisis have been overcome, the illegal flows of tobacco products from Ukraine to the EU will remain high.

The Smuggling of Tobacco Products in Europe: Criminogenic Potential Capacity

The article sets out the results of a research of the criminogenic potential capacity of cigarette smuggling. The article provides an analysis of the criminological connotation of the criminogenic potential capacity of tobacco products smuggling and presents the characteristics of the Ukrainian peculiarities of this pan-European problem. The article presents a view of the dynamics and geographical features of countering cigarette smuggling in Europe, regarding the use of FRONTEX (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) and the national border authorities. The article conveys the nature and consequences of the interrelation of cigarette smuggling and cross-border crime, and it identifies the ways to counteract this phenomenon in the context of the harmonization of the policies of different countries and the EU in the relevant sphere. Additionally, the article covers the reasons for the legislative trends in the criminalization of the excisable goods smuggling.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS AND VERBAL STATEMENT OF COMBINED FORENSIC EXAMINATION IN CIGARETTE SMUGGLING CASE

The scale of smuggling of tobacco products in Lithuania is reviewed. The possibilities of assistance of experts from the Forensic Science Center of Lithuania in investigation of cigarette smuggling case are described. The verbal scale of results evaluation used in Department of Examination of Materials and Other Objects is discussed, on the basis of which the conclusion about the categorical contact of the objects is made.

Shuttle Trade across Russia’s Borders with the Baltic States and Poland: Between Tolerance and Suppression

The paper focuses on the phenomenon of borderland shuttle trade across Russia’s borders with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. I argue that borderland shuttle trade is more sustainable in comparison with long-haul shuttle trade, as the former gives entrepreneurs more flexibility, involves fewer transaction costs, and can rely on the extensive support of borderland communities. At the same time, it has some specific vulnerabilities, and its susceptibility to customs control and reliance on overloaded border crossing infrastructure are among the most important. Contrary to beliefs about contemporary states’ inability to exercise efficient control over informal cross-border flows in the age of globalization, this research demonstrates that over the course of time, states may be at least partially successful in suppressing informal cross-border trade. Ultimately, cross-border shuttle trade has proven to be vulnerable to more and more targeted restrictions and control practices. Still, it has also proven to be highly resistant to governmental crackdown in various ways, such as buying fuel from long-haul truck drivers or switching to trade in non-excisable goods or to low-penalty cigarette smuggling. The latter practice illustrates that shuttle trade is only part of the flexible informal cross-border economy and that it can be transformed into low-penalty smuggling when needed.