Illicit Cigarette Consumption in EU Exceeds 10 Percent as Counterfeit Products Become Primary Driver

The illicit cigarette market in the European Union surpassed 10% of total consumption in 2025, marking the first time the region has reached this threshold since 2014. Data indicates that counterfeit products now serve as the primary driver of this growth, replacing the previous trend of illicit white cigarettes as the dominant source of untaxed tobacco.

The findings show that total illicit consumption reached 35.2 billion cigarettes last year, representing a 0.8 percentage point increase from 2024. Counterfeit cigarettes accounted for 13.5 billion of those units, a significant rise that reflects shifting patterns in illegal trade. While illicit white cigarettes—brands manufactured specifically for smuggling—previously accounted for the largest share of the black market, counterfeit versions of established mainstream brands now occupy that position. Law enforcement and industry analysts attribute this shift to evolving supply chain tactics and the continued demand for lower-priced tobacco products across EU member states.

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Source: GO-AI-ne1

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Date: June 3, 2026

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GOAI