It is common to find counterfeit on the shelves under the guise of imported cigarettes. Moreover, such an "elite" pack can cost an exorbitant price. But the cost can only be explained by the greed of the sellers, and the smoker risks paying twice. This illusion of saving money comes at the cost of one's own health. COVID-19 has also contributed to this problem, since the trade in low-grade tobacco now takes place via the Internet and courier delivery. Duplicates and fakes are openly traded on websites, often without making any attempt to hide it.
Moscow Patrol, together with the employees of Vlasta-Consulting company, who specialize in detecting counterfeits, ordered tobacco products through an online store and analyzed the samples obtained. Konstantin Shestera, head of the anti-counterfeiting department of the consulting company Vlasta Consulting, made the following conclusion: “The quality of the purchased pack of cigarettes is very low, and the excise stamps do not have the necessary elements that should be displayed in ultraviolet light. Most likely, the same cigarettes were simply packaged in packages with different labels. All purchased products pose a direct threat to the consumer".
According to experts, the share of illegal tobacco on the Russian market has grown 10 times over the past 4 years. Infringers make millions and avoid paying taxes. Now the State Duma is actively discussing a ban on the transportation of more than 10 packs of unlabeled cigarettes across Russia. This measure can be effective especially for limiting the illegal import of products from neighboring countries.
Not everyone will complain about every illegal pack of cigarettes. Therefore, social activists, together with the police, as often as possible try to identify the points of sale of illegal goods. But these are examples of sporadic strikes against the tobacco mafia. An effective system for countering the production and distribution of illegal tobacco products that meets the latest challenges and trends can only be ensured by concentrated actions both in offline and online directions. Another important factor is raising awareness of the police both about the types of counterfeiting on the market and about the process of effective communication with representatives of rightsholders.
