Estimating Illicit Cigarette Trade in Argentina the Research
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Estimating illicit cigarette trade in Argentina The research: The objective of this research is to estimate the volume of illicit cigarette trade in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The method used in this study involves collecting littered cigarette packs from the streets of the city. In a randomly-selected sample of 180 census tracks, investigators walked along previously-determined routes. They collected all littered cigarette packs found along these routes – a Message for cancer organizations: total of 4906 packs. Researchers then examined One of the primary arguments used by characteristics of the packs to determine the prevalence the tobacco industry to oppose new of illicit cigarettes. tobacco control regulations, including especially tobacco tax, is that those new regulations will cause a dramatic increase The context: Argentina introduced a large increase in in cigarette smuggling. However, most of tobacco taxes in May 2016. Soon after the tax was the estimates of illicit cigarette trade introduced, the tobacco industry launched a come from the industry itself. Growing propaganda campaign, claiming that the illicit cigarette evidence suggests that these industry- prevalence in Argentina increased to 14% of the market, commissioned studies typically overstate with a potential of further increases to over 20%. No the extent of the illicit cigarette trade industry-independent data were available to counter problem. these industry arguments. Partially due to these concerns over illicit cigarette trade, the government Tobacco industry-independent studies of decreased the tobacco tax rates in December 2017. This illicit cigarette trade, such as the one project, a partnership between Fundación conducted in Argentina, are needed to Interamericana del Corazón – Argentina (FIC Argentina) generate credible evidence to support and the American Cancer Society, aims to answer tobacco control policies. Cancer questions about illicit cigarette trade in Argentina organizations can work to bust the myths directly and to contribute to the future debates about around the illicit cigarette trade promoted tobacco tax increases in the country. by the tobacco industry and to disseminate reliable, academic studies on For more information: the impacts of tobacco taxation on the use of tobacco products. Read this Illicit Trade chapter of the Tobacco Atlas .