Contraband means: goods that are smuggled into countries without the payment of applicable taxes. Those goods may be genuine cigarettes or - as happens far more often with Philip Morris International products - fake cigarettes. We oppose contraband in all its forms and are fighting against it.

Contraband causes tobacconists and other retailers to lose sales. It causes domestic manufacturers to lose market share. It destroys jobs in both retailing and manufacturing. It causes manufacturers and others to lose their investments in quality distribution systems. It causes consumers to buy fake cigarettes, and it causes Philip Morris International and others to lose revenue.

Cigarette contraband is one of the most important challenges facing the tobacco industry today. Our own efforts to combat contraband include:

Monitoring consumer demand for our brands in the markets where our cigarettes are sold, and limiting sales volumes in accordance with that demand

Extensive screening and monitoring of the people we do business with

Working with our business partners to promote anti-contraband practices

Using case coding and other methods of tracking and tracing technology to further our goal that our products are sold only where they're supposed to be sold

Carrying out continuing spot checks of transportation, delivery and retail sales of our products

We're determined to take responsible steps to see the illegal trade in both genuine and fake cigarettes stamped out. But we can't do it alone. Effective law enforcement is critical to the success of any anti-contraband effort, and we'll continue to work with governments and other organizations that share our commitment to the fight against contraband.

For more information on this topic see "Confronting cigarette contraband" on the right.

Email this page