A discussion took place at the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair, at the Papastratos corporate pavilion, with the theme “Illegal tobacco trade: Impacts and challenges”, featuring the Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance, George Kotsiras, the Governor of AADE, George Pitsilis, and the Vice President of Papastratos, Iakovos Kargarotos. The discussion was moderated by journalist Tasos Zachos.
During the discussion, data on the evolution of illegal tobacco trade in Greece was presented, showing a significant decrease. Specifically, the percentage of illegal cigarettes is estimated at 17% of total consumption in 2024, compared to 24% in 2023, which contrasts with the increasing trend observed in the rest of Europe. This progress is attributed to the effectiveness of law enforcement authorities, the utilization of technology, public-private sector cooperation, as well as tax stability.
The Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance, George Kotsiras emphasized that combating smuggling is a strategic priority for the government, noting among other things: “The issue of tax evasion is at the center of government policy and is being implemented with very specific targets. The tax regime must be as stable and predictable as possible and leave a positive impact for businesses and citizens. The new customs code, which was revised for the first time after 30 years, enhances digitization, interconnection of control mechanisms and provides powerful tools for the effective fight against tax evasion.”
The Governor of AADE, George Pitsilis, referred to the importance of public-private sector cooperation, noting that market expertise is crucial for the success of this effort. Referring to the seriousness of the problem, he emphasized: “Illegal tobacco trade not only causes revenue losses, but is also harmful to public health in multiple ways. Citizens who buy these products are exposed to unpredictable risks, while simultaneously funding criminal networks operating worldwide. The findings from analyses conducted by the General State Chemistry Laboratory are shocking: mouse droppings, fingernails and mold are found inside illegal cigarettes.”
The Vice President of Papastratos, Iakovos Kargarotos, presented the data documenting significant progress in the fight against smuggling, attributing the reduction of the phenomenon to a combination of factors: “The reduction of illegal cigarettes from 24% to 17% is an extremely encouraging result, proving what we can achieve when there is planning, coordination and cooperation. The challenge, however, doesn’t stop here. We need to maintain this momentum and invest even more in innovation and prevention, so we don’t see the phenomenon intensify again, as happened in previous years. The fight against illegal trade and protection of the most vulnerable is not a battle that can be won by one entity alone, we need to join forces to ensure a safe and sustainable future for the country.”
