Nearly half of smokers in Lithuania have tried illicit cigarettes at least once, according to a new opinion poll.
The survey found that around 22% of people in Lithuania smoke, and 47% of smokers said they had bought or used contraband tobacco.
Ignas Zokas, chief executive of the market research firm Spinter Tyrimai, said most respondents recognised that cigarette smuggling damages the economy, reduces tax revenue and benefits organised crime. However, relatively few said they disapproved of people who smoke smuggled cigarettes.
“Many people see contraband cigarettes as a cheaper alternative for those who cannot afford legal products,” he said.
42% of respondents described the harm caused by cigarette smuggling as serious, while 35% said the impact was moderate.
When asked how the illegal trade could be tackled, 58% said taxes on legal cigarettes should not be increased. More than half supported tougher penalties for smugglers, while just over a third called for greater public awareness of the damage caused by smuggling.
Large price differences between Lithuania and neighbouring Belarus and Russia were cited by 74% of respondents as the main reason for the use of contraband cigarettes.
More than half blamed inadequate enforcement by the authorities, while 40% pointed to a high level of public tolerance towards illegal goods. 16% linked the issue to the historical and cultural ties between Lithuania’s border regions and Belarus.
The poll was commissioned by the civic organisation Stiprus Kartu (Strong Together) and conducted between November 17 and 26 among 1,016 respondents.
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