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Illicit Tobacco in Lithuania: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Vaida Liutkutė-Gumarov

    (Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Lukas Galkus

    (Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Janina Petkevičienė

    (Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Mindaugas Štelemėkas

    (Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Laura Miščikienė

    (Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
    Department of Health Management, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Aušra Mickevičienė

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Justina Vaitkevičiūtė

    (Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

Taxation policies are the most cost-effective measure to reduce overall tobacco consumption. However, cigarettes in Lithuania are among the cheapest in the European Union. The threat of the illicit trade is often used to compromise evidence-based policies, pricing policies particularly. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of illicit cigarette consumption in Lithuania and identify the main characteristics of illicit cigarette smokers. The national cross-sectional survey with direct observation of the latest purchased pack of cigarettes was conducted between August and September 2019. In total, 1050 smokers aged ≥18 were interviewed face-to-face. The illicit share of the total consumption of cigarettes per year was 10.7% with 9.7% of smokers showing or describing illicit cigarette packs compared to 17% reported by industry-funded studies. Older smokers, smokers with lower education and heavy smokers were more likely to regularly purchase illicit cigarettes. The average price of an illicit pack was almost two times lower than licit. Although the illicit trade of tobacco products is a serious policy challenge, the threat of an increase in illicit trade should not delay tobacco taxation improvements.

Suggested Citation

  • Vaida Liutkutė-Gumarov & Lukas Galkus & Janina Petkevičienė & Mindaugas Štelemėkas & Laura Miščikienė & Aušra Mickevičienė & Justina Vaitkevičiūtė, 2020. "Illicit Tobacco in Lithuania: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7291-:d:424229
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. A. Yurekli & O. Sayginsoy, 2010. "Worldwide organized cigarette smuggling: an empirical analysis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(5), pages 545-561.
    2. World Health Organization, 2015. "WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015: Raising taxes on tobacco," University of California at San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education qt1fh1f32m, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, UC San Francisco.
    3. Minh T. Nguyen & Son The Dao & Nga Que Nguyen & Mike Bowling & Hana Ross & Anthony D. So, 2019. "Illicit Cigarette Consumption and Government Revenue Loss in Vietnam: Evidence from a Primary Data Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-12, June.
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