Introduction

This chapter provides the introduction to the book. It sets out the context of the topic and explains the research presented in this book, the relevant legal framework and institutional actors as well as the methodology of the research. The chapter explains the structure of the book and provides brief summaries of each chapter

Combatting Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products ::In Search of Optimal Enforcement /

This book focuses on the enforcement aspect of tobacco control policy, and argues that the intense regulation of the tobacco market will never be successful as long as it can be circumvented by the availability of illicit tobacco products. Yet, current efforts to combat illicit tobacco trade are insufficient, suffering from several flaws and gaps at the regulatory and operational levels. The aim of this book is to provide an analysis of the legal framework and practice of enforcement with regard to illicit tobacco products. Combining criminological and legal perspectives, it presents and critically analyses the phenomenon of illicit tobacco trade, as well as the policies, legal frameworks and practices in six EU countries with regard to combatting this phenomenon, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their approaches. Furthermore, it studies the relationship between the EU and third countries (e.g. Ukraine) in terms of how the EU can influence policy and enforcement in these countries in order to counter illicit tobacco trafficking. Not exclusively focusing on the EU, the book also includes an analysis of enforcement against illicit tobacco products in the US. The EU Member States analysed in the book (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands and Poland) reflect the range of currently available approaches. Some of them have ratified the WHO Protocol against tobacco smuggling; others have not. They belong to different legal traditions and face different challenges due to their respective border situations. While Belgium and the Netherlands are key entry ports to the EU, Poland and Latvia represent the Eastern land border of the EU, with various regional challenges. Italy has a long maritime border, where trafficking is possible from Northern Africa and from the Middle East. It also has significant experience in fighting organised crime. Lastly, Germany is the largest market in Europe and situated in the middle of these trafficking routes

The EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood Policies in Combatting Illicit Tobacco Trade

The EU’s membership enlargement in 2004 has generated narratives that problematise its new Eastern neighbourhood as part of the EU’s security threats. Included in such perceived threats is illicit tobacco trade, which is the focus of this chapter and edited volume. Within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU has devised a voluminous number of political, legal, and financial instruments, aiming to facilitate the improvement of customs and border management to combat illicit tobacco trade. One of the most iconic in this regard is the EU’s Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) established in 2005. EUBAM has provided legislative and administrative support to Moldova and Ukraine’s authorities and conducted joint operations in combatting illicit tobacco trade. By providing an overview of some of the instruments to tackle the perceived security threat, the chapter sheds light on a fundamental ambivalence underlying the EU’s approaches to its eastern neighbourhood, which may, in the long run, affect the effectiveness of the initiatives to combat illicit tobacco trade

The EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood Policies in Combatting Illicit Tobacco Trade

The EU’s membership enlargement in 2004 has generated narratives that problematise its new Eastern neighbourhood as part of the EU’s security threats. Included in such perceived threats is illicit tobacco trade, which is the focus of this chapter and edited volume. Within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU has devised a voluminous number of political, legal, and financial instruments, aiming to facilitate the improvement of customs and border management to combat illicit tobacco trade. One of the most iconic in this regard is the EU’s Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) established in 2005. EUBAM has provided legislative and administrative support to Moldova and Ukraine’s authorities and conducted joint operations in combatting illicit tobacco trade. By providing an overview of some of the instruments to tackle the perceived security threat, the chapter sheds light on a fundamental ambivalence underlying the EU’s approaches to its eastern neighbourhood, which may, in the long run, affect the effectiveness of the initiatives to combat illicit tobacco trade

The EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood Policies in Combatting Illicit Tobacco Trade

The EU’s membership enlargement in 2004 has generated narratives that problematise its new Eastern neighbourhood as part of the EU’s security threats. Included in such perceived threats is illicit tobacco trade, which is the focus of this chapter and edited volume. Within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU has devised a voluminous number of political, legal, and financial instruments, aiming to facilitate the improvement of customs and border management to combat illicit tobacco trade. One of the most iconic in this regard is the EU’s Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) established in 2005. EUBAM has provided legislative and administrative support to Moldova and Ukraine’s authorities and conducted joint operations in combatting illicit tobacco trade. By providing an overview of some of the instruments to tackle the perceived security threat, the chapter sheds light on a fundamental ambivalence underlying the EU’s approaches to its eastern neighbourhood, which may, in the long run, affect the effectiveness of the initiatives to combat illicit tobacco trade