From: Tobacco Reporter
Illegal trade exposed
***
Firestone is said to have told the commission that the global illegal tobacco trade annually deprived governments of US$40-50 billion in lost tax revenue, a figure greater than that of the illegal trade in oil, wildlife, timber, arts and antiquities, and conflict minerals combined. He added that “criminals are the only promoters of the global illegal tobacco trade”.
***
Firestone was said to have emphasized the critical role co-operation between industry, law enforcement, and government authorities could play in tackling illicit tobacco, and outlined a series of concrete measures that these groups could take to further reduce the flow of illicit tobacco worldwide.
