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Phehomenon of corruption in Albania: towards cigarrete smugling

Author

Listed:
  • Evaldas RAISTENSKIS

    (Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia)

  • Anatolijs KRIVINS

    (Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia)

  • Ludmila ALEKSEJEVA

    (Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia)

Abstract

The phenomenon of cigarette smuggling and corruption has become a very sensitive topic for responsible law enforcement authorities and reporting entities. The issue needs to be addressed effectively and systematically regardless of the overall economic, financial and fiscal situation in the country. Preventing and mitigating the constant threat posed by criminal activities is of particular importance. In this context, financial institutions and non-financial professions are required to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The article deals with the extent of corruption prevalence and reasons for prosperity in Albania, as a Western Balkans country, which has been little studied in the scientific literature. Albania is characterized by very high levels of perceived corruption, which manifests itself at all levels of government. Both petty and grand forms of corruption are prevalent in the country, while political corruption affects the quality of the democratic processes. The health sector, customs and tax officials are often referred to as the most corrupt institutions, followed by the police and the judiciary. Other problem faced by Albania is the illegal trade of tobacco considered as one of the major issues for Albanian law enforcement; it poses a multitude of challenges and issues beyond the ones discussed for legal tobacco consumption. The method of a representative quantitative survey was chosen for the empirical research, interviewing 1000 respondents from the age of 18 and more. The main findings and results of the research have been found: the scales of cigarette smuggling as well as the links between cigarette smuggling and corruption, money laundering and organized crime have not been evaluated, but macroeconomical analysis has shown that these phenomena are closely linked and feed each other. In Albania the public are beginning to realize that namely they tolerate the illegal phenomenon and, as a result, suffer from poorer economic well-being of their families.

Suggested Citation

  • Evaldas RAISTENSKIS & Anatolijs KRIVINS & Ludmila ALEKSEJEVA, 2023. "Phehomenon of corruption in Albania: towards cigarrete smugling," Access Journal, Access Press Publishing House, vol. 4(2), pages 297-312, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:aip:access:v:4:y:2023:i:2:p:297-312
    DOI: 10.46656/access.2023.4.2(10)
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rotondi, Valentina & Stanca, Luca, 2015. "The effect of particularism on corruption: Theory and empirical evidence," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 219-235.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    corruption; cigarette smuggling; tax evasion; Albania; shadow economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • F65 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Finance

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