Asia-Pacific countries unite to eradicate illicit tobacco

Customs officials from 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, in Singapore over the next two days in an initiative led by the Australian Border Force (ABF), are targeting transnational criminal organisations trading in illicit tobacco.

The first Asia-Pacific Illicit Tobacco Initiative 2024 will enhance regional cooperation, strengthen national supply chains, increase information sharing, and create the platform for future joint operations targeting the criminal networks involved in the trade.

According to ABF Commander Ken McKern, illicit tobacco is a problem that transcends the borders of individual countries and requires a collective approach.

“The illicit tobacco trade diverts billions of dollars of vital government tax revenues around the world – which could be used to fund health, education and other essential community services – to criminals, who in turn fund transnational crime, corruption and terrorism,” Commander McKern said.

“The trade is both national and international in scope and requires cooperation between local, state, federal and international agencies to combat it.

“The Asia-Pacific Illicit Tobacco Initiative 2024 builds on previous successful activities and reinvigorates a regional approach to combating illicit tobacco.

“The initiative will also generate more information and intelligence from our global customs partners, so that the ABF and Australian partner agencies can continue to harass and prosecute criminals involved in the import and supply of illicit tobacco into Australia.”

Australia’s Interim Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarettes (ITEC) Commissioner Erin Dale said tackling illicit tobacco at source is a top priority for her, to prevent and discourage these products from reaching Australian shores.

“International cooperation is essential to the success of Australia’s efforts to combat illicit tobacco, and to ensure our policies are understood globally. I applaud the ABF’s efforts to drive forward this inaugural initiative,” Commissioner Dale said.

The ITEC Commissioner is a new position established by the Australian Government to address the complex challenges posed by illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes.

According to the World Health Organization, ending the illicit tobacco trade would save governments worldwide an estimated $31.3 billion annually and prevent more than 164,000 premature deaths each year by 2030.

Representatives will be present from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

The initiative will take place in Singapore from September 3 to 4, 2024.

Remark

• Both citizens and the industry can report suspicious activities related to illicit tobacco via the ABF’s Border Watch portal.

• Referrals to Border Watch can be made anonymously.

• You can access the Border Watch portal via the ABF website: https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/borderwatch

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